When a panel of herpetologists (scientists whose specialty is snakes) was asked which snake they considered the most dangerous in the world, they almost unanimously agreed that the king cobra, Ophiophagus hanna, ranks No. 1. This was the snake they would least like to step on, be locked up with in a phone booth, or to see smiling down on them. The king cobra is not the most deadly, for the saw-scaled viper, taipan and krait all have more toxic venom; the mamba is faster; and the gaboon viper has longer fangs. Moreover, several of the 300 species of small and peaceable sea snakes are 100 times more venomous than the cobra, but they are the least threatening of all poisonous snakes.
The king cobra is by far the largest venomous snake in the world, its record being 18 feet 4 inches long, with an average length of about 14 feet. It is not even a major contributor to world snakebite mortality, an apparent contradiction that reflects its preference for regions remote from the habitats of man. It is found throughout southeast Asia, India and southern China. If it were to invade agricultural areas as do other cobra species, the bite/death ratio would shoot up significantly. Scientists estimate that the king cobra, with large poison glands containing highly potent neurotoxic venom, can deliver 120 times the amount of venom needed to kill an adult human. Moreover, to make sure it delivers an ample amount, the king cobra hangs on when it bites, and chews away at the wound so that the venom penetrates. The venom is so toxic that careless handling of the substance can send send a person into a coma. Being neurotoxic, the venom can kill a man within 15 to 20 min-utes of being bitten, and can topple an elephant.
In 1991 a work crew cutting timber in central India was startled when one of their work elephants suddenly trumpeted in agony and went berserk. It attacked everything standing, including other elephants. Much destruction resulted from its 20 minute rampage, when it suddenly stopped, sank to its knees and gently rolled over dead. The unfortunate beast had unwittingly stepped on a king cobra that reacted in protest, as any creature might do when stepped on by a full grown elephant. After biting the elephant on it right front knee, the snake, of course, expired and became a tasty evening meal for the workers.
The king cobra is, as its generic name implies, a snake eater (Ophio-snake, phagus-eater). Although its diet is almost entirely snakes, it does not hesitate to swallow lizards, rodents, and birds that wander into its habitat. It will eat any snake, harmless or poisonous, including pythons and cobras, and has been known to eat the young of its own species. Among the king cobra's claims to superiority, demonstrated by those studied in captivity, is its intelligence. For example, it quickly learns not to strike the glass cage front in captivity, and can recognize its caretaker. Although quite tolerant toward its keeper, it becomes aggressive to others who come close to it.
One of the greatest dangers of the king cobra is that it is so unpredictable. It may move quietly away from an intruder or any disturbance but all too often it is aggressive and will attack without provocation. A 14-foot poisonous snake is doubtless a force to be reckoned with: when excited, angered, or threatened it raises the forepart of its body-1/3 of its length- off the ground, extends the anterior ribs so that the hood flares menacingly and gives a prolonged hiss. Most intimidating is the king cobra's ability to move forward while in this upright posture, with its head four to six feet off the ground. The terrifying head, at eye level or above, can strike as far as the raised portion of the body can reach. Challenged by the cobra's formidable gaze and stance, all adversaries should retreat first and evaluate the situation later.
The king cobras is more predictable during breeding season, for then both sexes are guaranteed to be aggressive. Both guard the eggs and challenge all intruders. In this respect, the king cobra deserves commendation as a most devoted, sacrificing parent, for no other snake nests in this manner. After mating, the female, often assisted by the male, will scoop piles of vegetation into large mounds. First she will make a compartment in which she will lay two to three dozen eggs. She will cover the eggs with vegetation and make another compartment on top of them. Into this she will crawl and remain until the eggs are hatched. The male, if he decides to stick around, will station himself on either side of the mound, changing position from time to time. The decaying vegetation keeps the eggs warms, as does the body heat of the attending female. When the eggs hatch, the new hatchlings are on their own, and the parents go their separate ways.
During the incubation period the guarding mother is most dangerous. Even the male king cobra knows better than to climb the mound, as the female will tolerate no disturbance of her incubating offspring. Any unfortunate human who stumbles onto the cobra's nest without recognizing it will not be given the advantage of the cobra's hiss and stance; he or she will be immediately attacked and bitten. After this harrowing incident, the hapless victim will probably have no difficulty sleeping through the next night or, for that matter, eternally.
Phil and Nancy Seff are the authors of several science books, including "Our Fascinating Earth." Their column runs regularly in the Deseret News Science/Technology section.