King Cobra

The king cobra is the largest venomous snake in the world. Despite its large size and fearsome reputation, the king cobra is not aggressive and will avoid confrontation when possible. When threatened or cornered, it raises itself up to a height of nearly one-third of its length, which may be as tall as a person. Flattening its neck ribs, it displays an impressive hood and hisses at the intruder, which sounds like a dog growl, before attacking.

• The king cobra is the only snake in the world that builds a nest for its eggs and guards them until they hatch.
• It is not the flute’s music that lures the cobra out of a snake charmer’s basket, but the way it moves.