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King Cobra and I
Cobra Fact File
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King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah)
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King Cobra Culture
    The king cobra is revered as a deity in many parts of India and southeast Asia. Some believe that it controls the rain, thunder and fertility. In one Indian snake cult, a large king cobra is brought to the village in a basket. When the lid is open, the snake rises up and a priestess kisses it on the head, guaranteeing both human and crop fertility. Some believe that if this secretive snake is seen by 100 people, it will die. So, in accordance with this belief, the king cobra will enter a village when it's ready to pass on to the next life.

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A Vanishing Species
    Though widespread, the king cobra is uncommon in every part of its range and is considered rare in India. Habitat loss is a major threat to its survival. Forests are disappearing at an alarming rate in many parts of its range, driving the shy snake into populated areas where it's often killed out of fear. The king cobra is also harvested for commercial purposes. Its meat, skin and bile are used in traditional Chinese medicines, and its venom is used to treat pain and illness. The Whitley Fund for Nature is a U.K. registered charity involved in king cobra conservation. They support the work of herpetologist Romulus Whitaker, who has gone to great lengths to save the king cobra and its rainforest habitat in southern India.

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