Ophiophagus bungarus

(Schlegel, 1837)

Vernacular names
English : Sunda king cobra
French : Cobra royal de la Sonde

Classification
Class : Reptilia
Order : Squamata
Family : Elapidae
Notes : No subspecies known. This species has been split from O. hannah.

Identification
The longest venomous snake species known, reaching up to 5.70 meters in length. Unmistakable. This species generally has little to no barring when adult and its coloration varies from light olive-brown to nearly black-brown with dirty yellow belly.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in southeast Asia, from the Isthmus of Kra in southern Thailand to Singapore, greater Sundas, southern Philippines and Bali (some of the populations from Indonesia and Philippines need to be better assessed). Usually found in dense forests, often close to water, up to 2000 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : VULNERABLE (as O. hannah)
CITES : Appendix II
Status : This species has declined in many parts of its range because of persecution, habitat loss and ongoing overtrapping for the animal trade.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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