{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Taxon",
  "slug": "king-cobra",
  "name": "King Cobra",
  "scientificName": "Ophiophagus hannah",
  "category": "Reptile",
  "summary": "The king cobra is the longest venomous snake in the world, reaching up to 5.5 m (18 ft). Native to forests across South and Southeast Asia, it feeds almost entirely on other snakes. Its venom is potent enough to kill an elephant in large doses, yet it is shy and avoids people. King cobras are also the only snakes that build a nest for their eggs. They live around 20 years.",
  "conservationStatus": "Vulnerable",
  "taxonomy": {
    "kingdom": "Animalia",
    "phylum": "Chordata",
    "class": "Reptilia",
    "order": "Squamata",
    "family": "Elapidae",
    "genus": "Ophiophagus"
  },
  "stats": {
    "weightKg": 9,
    "lengthM": 5.5,
    "topSpeedKmh": 18,
    "lifespanYears": 20
  },
  "facts": [
    {
      "label": "Scientific name",
      "value": "Ophiophagus hannah"
    },
    {
      "label": "Diet",
      "value": "Carnivore (mainly other snakes)"
    },
    {
      "label": "Habitat",
      "value": "Forests, mangroves, grasslands of Asia"
    },
    {
      "label": "Lifespan",
      "value": "~20 years"
    },
    {
      "label": "Length",
      "value": "Up to 5.5 m (18 ft)"
    },
    {
      "label": "Venom",
      "value": "Potent neurotoxin"
    },
    {
      "label": "Conservation status",
      "value": "Vulnerable (IUCN)"
    }
  ],
  "range": {
    "nativeRange": "The forests and jungles of India, southern China, and Southeast Asia.",
    "continents": [
      "Asia"
    ]
  },
  "sources": [
    {
      "citation": "Stuart, B. et al. (2012). Ophiophagus hannah. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.",
      "url": null
    },
    {
      "citation": "The Reptile Database (reptile-database.org).",
      "url": null
    },
    {
      "citation": "Animal Diversity Web — Ophiophagus hannah. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.",
      "url": "https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Ophiophagus_hannah/"
    }
  ],
  "lastReviewed": "2026-07-16",
  "canonicalUrl": "https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/king-cobra/",
  "license": {
    "name": "CC BY-NC 4.0",
    "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/",
    "attribution": "Global Animal Guide — https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/king-cobra/",
    "note": "Free to reuse for non-commercial purposes with attribution and a link back to the canonical page."
  }
}