The king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is the world's longest venomous snake, capable of reaching lengths of up to 5.5 meters, and the sole member of its genus. It inhabits dense highland forests, bamboo thickets, and mangrove swamps across South and Southeast Asia, where it depends on intact forest cover and proximity to water. Unlike most snakes, the king cobra is an ophiophage, meaning it feeds almost exclusively on other snakes, including large pythons and other venomous species, making it a rare apex predator among reptiles.
Listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, the king cobra faces mounting pressure from habitat loss driven by agricultural expansion and logging, as well as collection for the live animal trade, traditional medicine, and skin markets. Across much of its range, forest fragmentation is isolating populations and limiting the availability of both prey and nesting habitat. The species is legally protected in several countries, including India under the Wildlife Protection Act, but enforcement remains inconsistent and its forest home continues to shrink.
No projects have listed this species yet. If you run a project that protects the King Cobra, you can add it to Wildlife Connect.
