Expert Wrangler Goes One-on-One With a Gargantuan King Cobra in the Middle of the Street

King cobras are large, venomous snakes that pose fatal risks to their victims. A recent viral TikTok video shows a large cobra facing an expert wrangler one-on-one in the middle of the street. His bravery is unmatched as he does not back down against this deadly snake.

Watch the Footage

What Is a King Cobra?

King cobras are the longest venomous snake in the world. These carnivorous snakes eat other snakes, birds, and lizards. They come in various colors, including brown, yellow, black, and green. Additionally, they can move as quickly as 12 miles per hour.

King cobras are also the only snakes that build nests for their eggs. Other than humans, king cobras do not have any predators (although mongooses can prey on juvenile snakes). 

How Large Are King Cobras?

King cobras typically reach between 11 to 13 feet long. The largest king cobra ever recorded measured nearly 19 feet in length. According to the Guinness World Records, this record was set during the Second World War in Malaysia in April of 1937. For reference, that’s about as long as a killer whale! 

Where Do King Cobras Live?

King cobras live in Asia, primarily in South and Southeast Asia. More specifically, they live in southern China, India, and southeastern Asia in streams, forests, bamboo thickets, and swamps. In the wild, they typically last for about 20 years.

Can a King Cobra’s Bite Kill a Human?

Yes, a king cobra can kill a human with its deadly, venomous bite. However, this is actually quite rare. Though they have enough venom in one bite to kill an elephant or 20 people, these snakes really only attack humans when they feel cornered or are protecting their eggs.

When they do bite, however, their venom can cause respiratory distress and cardiac failure. The snake’s sharp fangs deliver venom from its glands and into the animal or human. The neurotoxins then quickly shock the victim’s nervous system and breathing, and other toxins ultimately paralyze the victim. This is likely why so many people commented on the video expressing their fear of the snake. The expert wrangler might know what he’s doing, but one wrong move, and he might become a fatal victim.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Eric Isselee/Shutterstock.com