There are hundreds of species of venomous snakes in the animal kingdom, but the king cobra is the longest of all of them. An adult snake can be 10 to 12 feet in length and weigh up to 20 pounds.
TThe hood, as well as other parts of the snake's body, all have markings that are unique to the king cobra. At first glance, it looks like part of the snake's skin, but it's actually a system of rib bones and muscles that can flex and move.
Poisonous snakes are generally divided into two types of venom classifications: neurotoxic and hemotoxic. A neurotoxin is any poison that directly affects the nervous system of a human or animal.
King Cobras are considered cannibalistic because they really only eat other snakes. Even if the other snake is venomous, cobras' stomachs have adapted with digestive juices to break down the poison and render it safe.
When a female cobra prepares to lay its eggs, which is usually in the spring, it creates a nest of leaves and twigs. She builds up walls, as well as a cover, to insulate and protect the eggs she will be laying.
The one animal it will avoid crossing paths with is the mongoose. The mongoose won't hunt or track a cobra intentionally, but will defend itself if threatened.
If cornered, in addition to flaring their hood to make themselves appear bigger, they also make a unique moan. Like most snakes, cobras will hiss, but they also use this moan to signal to their predators to back away before they strike.
In the wild, these snakes can live for more than two decades. Also, not many other animals that live in the areas that cobras inhabit hunt these snakes, so they have very little danger of becoming prey.