Management

KING COBRA (Ophiophagus hannah)

• The king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is the world's longest venomous snake, endemic to forests from India through Southeast Asia; listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List since 2010.
• It is the national reptile of India.
• It preys chiefly on other snakes and occasionally on some other vertebrates, such as lizards, small birds and rodents.
• After a large meal, it lives for many months without another one because of its slow metabolic rate.
• They possess potent neurotoxic venom and death can occur in as little as 30 minutes after being bitten.
• It is sexually dimorphic, with males being larger and paler in particular during the breeding season.
• The king cobra is the only snake that builds a nest using dry leaf litter, starting from late March to late May. The female scrapes up leaves and other debris into a mound, and stays in the nest until the young hatch.
• Clutch size ranges from 7 to 43 eggs, with 6 to 38 eggs hatching after incubation periods of 66 to 105 days.
• The venom of hatchlings is as potent as that of the adults. They may be brightly marked, but these colours often fade as they mature.
• The average lifespan of a wild king cobra is about 20 years.

# Physical Characteristics

• The King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is the world's longest venomous snake, growing up to 18.5 feet (5.6 meters) in length.
• It has a sleek, slender build with a broad, flat head and a long, thin tail.
• Its scales are typically brown or greenish-brown, with lighter-colored bands or markings.

# Habitat and Distribution

• King Cobras are found in the tropical forests of Southeast Asia and India.
• They inhabit dense, humid forests with abundant prey and suitable shelter.
• They are excellent climbers and often live in trees or rocky outcrops.

# Behavior and Diet

• King Cobras are carnivores and primarily feed on other snakes, including venomous species.
• They are skilled hunters, using their keen eyesight and agility to catch prey.
• They are generally solitary animals and only come together during mating season.

# Reproduction and Lifespan

• King Cobras breed during the monsoon season, with females laying up to 50 eggs per clutch.
• The eggs incubate for approximately 70 days, and the hatchlings are independent from birth.
• King Cobras can live up to 20 years in the wild.

# Conservation Status

• King Cobras are listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List due to habitat loss, fragmentation, and poaching.
• Conservation efforts are underway to protect their habitats and reduce human-snake conflict.

# Interesting Facts

• King Cobras are known for their impressive hood, which they flare out when threatened or during courtship displays.
• They have a potent venom that can kill within 45 minutes if left untreated.
• Despite their fearsome reputation, King Cobras are generally shy and avoid confrontations with humans.

General Information About Snakes

• Snakes have existed on this earth for 130 million years, since the era of dinosaurs.
• There are more than 2500 species of snakes in the world, out of which about 20% of species are venomous.
• About 300 species of snakes are found in India.
• There are mainly four venomous snakes found in India - Common Krait, Cobra, Russell's Viper, Saw-Scaled Viper.
• The process of removing venom from snakes is called "milking". This can be done only in authorized institutes by the experts.
• King Cobra is the world's largest venomous snake and the only snake that makes a nest and lays eggs.
• Not all species of snakes lay eggs. 70% of snakes lay eggs and the rest give birth directly (ovoviviparous).
• About 2.5 lakh people in India suffer from snakebite every year, out of which about 50,000 die due to lack of treatment.
• There are many myths related to the Red Sand Boa, which people consider to be a two-faced snake, the shape of its tail is similar to its mouth, which confuses people.
• There is no poison in the tail of any snake, poisonous snakes hunt with their venom.
• Neither the snake drinks milk, nor the snake has a naagmani, these are all misconceptions.
• All snakes are protected under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972. Capturing or causing damage to snakes is punishable by statutory punishment, which is punishable by a fine of up to Rs 25,000/- or with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years.

Snake Bite Prevention Methods

• In India, 75% of snake bites are below the knee.
• Keep the space around the house clean and dry.
• Keep the sacks and bags in a high place.
• Use mosquito nets while sleeping on the ground.
• Always check the beddings, clothes, shoes, etc. that are kept on the ground before using them.
• If you see a snake, stay calm and contact the snake rescuer or forest department immediately.
• Always use shoes or gumboots.
• You should not walk between dense plants after the evening.
• Always carry a stick for clearing the path and a torch to see while walking in the dark.

What if there is no sanke?

• Major diet of Snakes like Cobras and Rate snakes are rodents, these rodents eat a large part of our foodgrains. At present, the estimate of loss in foodgrains from rodents is about 20%. If snakes are not there the population of rodents will be uncontrolled and hence, the loss of foodgrains will increase by40-60%.
• Rodents can also spread diseases like plague.

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