ENTER THE KINGDOM
Deep in a rainforest realm of India, a king has been named.
For two centuries, king cobras were believed to be one species.
They were clubbed under the name Ophiophagus hannah.
A recent, decade-long research has proved that they are four distinct species. And, the king cobra endemic to the Western Ghats has been given its own title: Ophiophagus kaalinga.
Joe Wasilewski
Director, Natural Selections of South Florida, Inc
Vice President, King Cobra Conservancy, Florida
Map Credit: Ben Marshall, Herpetological Highlights
THE ROYAL FRATERNITY
Ophiophagus kaalinga (Western Ghats King Cobra)
Meaning: Ophio (snake) phagus (eating) Kaalinga (black body)
Region: Endemic to the Western Ghats of southwestern India
Habitat: Dense forests, preferred temperature 22-30°C
Diet: Other snakes and occasionally monitor lizards
Active hours: Diurnal as they are awake and active during the day
Features: 15-18 ft long (world’s largest venomous snakes) 7-12 kg;
Fewer than 40 bands on its body
Venom: Neurotoxic (400-600 mg)
Sound: Growl-like with a frequency below 2,500 hz
Unique features: Male combat to win mate. Only snake in the world to build
a nest
Status: IUCN Red List classifies as vulnerable
Meaning: Ophio (snake) phagus (eating) Kaalinga (black body)
Region: Endemic to the Western Ghats of southwestern India
Habitat: Dense forests, preferred
temperature 22-30°C
Diet: Other snakes and occasionally monitor lizards
Active hours: Diurnal as they are awake
and active during the day
Features: 5-18 ft long (world’s largest venomous snakes) 7-12 kg;
Fewer than 40 bands on its body
Venom: Neurotoxic (400-600 mg)
Sound: Growl-like with a frequency below 2,500 hz
Unique features: Male combat to win
mate. Only snake in the world to build a nest
Status: IUCN Red List classifies
as vulnerable
Ophiophagus hannah: (Northern King Cobra)
Inhabiting northern and eastern India, the Andaman Islands, eastern Pakistan, Indo-Burma, Indo-China, and Thailand, this species displays 50 to 70 bands.
Ophiophagus bungarus: (Sunda King Cobra)
Found in the Malay Peninsula, Greater Sunda Islands, and parts of southern Philippines, it features more than 70 bands.
Ophiophagus salvatana: (Luzon King Cobra)
Native to Luzon (island) in the northern Philippines, this species lacks bands altogether.
