Have You Ever Heard a King Cobra Growl?

Animals frequently growl to display dominance, show aggression, and warn others to stay away. When we think of animals that growl, dogs, wolves, lions, tigers, and bears come to mind. However, in this YouTube video, the Indonesian king cobra shows that it, too, is capable of making a sound that is often likened to a dog’s growl. Yet, how can a snake growl? Keep reading to learn all about the world’s largest venomous snake, including how experts handle them and the basis of their defensive growls.

The World’s Largest Venomous Snake

The king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is endemic to Asia, with a range that spans from India through Southeast Asia to southern China. They prefer trees and bushes near streams or in mangrove swamps. King cobras average around 10-12 feet long, with the longest on record measuring 18.7 feet. Adult king cobras are generally black, brown, yellow, or green, with light-colored throats and pale crossbars. Their bellies may be plain or marked with bars. They have fangs around 0.5 inches long. These snakes primarily eat other snakes, including other venomous snakes, which is how they came to be called “king cobras.”

Despite the king cobra’s fierce reputation, it is generally only aggressive when threatened or protecting its nest. However, females with eggs may attack unprovoked. King cobras are actually relatively cautious compared to other snakes, and they would much rather escape than force a confrontation. Across their native range, king cobras kill fewer than five people each year. This is only one-fifth the number of deaths caused by rattlesnakes in North America.

How Do Conservationists Handle King Cobras?

Although king cobras go to great lengths to avoid humans, these snakes are extremely dangerous. The king cobra has enough neurotoxic venom to kill an elephant. It can cause death in humans in as little as thirty minutes if antivenom is not administered immediately. Snakes from China and Indonesia, such as the snake in the video, have more lethal venom than king cobras in other geographical regions. There is a high risk of snakebite for conservationists, herpetologists, zookeepers, and those who keep snakes as pets. Therefore, there are certain strategies to avoid being bitten.

As the conservationist in the video explains, he stays out of the snake’s strike range, which is about one-third of the snake’s body length—the maximum height the snake can raise itself off the ground. In contrast with most snakes, king cobras also have excellent eyesight. Researchers believe the snakes are able to detect a person moving from 330 feet away. The snakes can become irritated by sudden movement or anything that approaches too closely. Handlers know to move slowly and stay out of the snake’s line of sight. The conservationist also observes the snake’s body language to determine if it is becoming agitated.

The King Cobra Defense System

King cobras have their own genus, Ophiophagus, and are not classified among the true cobras in the genus Naja. However, king cobras can flatten and spread their neck ribs into the characteristic cobra hood. Researchers believe hooding is part of a defensive display to make the snake appear larger and advertise their venomous capabilities. The snake will also rear up, lifting its body off the ground to seem taller and more intimidating.

As we can hear in the video, the king cobra can also emit low-frequency warning sounds that are more like a growl than a hiss. Whereas most typical hiss sounds are between 3,000- 13,000Hz, king cobra sounds are lower than 2,500Hz, with most sounds around 600Hz. Researchers found that, unlike most snakes, king cobras have tracheal diverticula, or pouches in the wall of the trachea, that provide resonance for these low frequencies.

These defensive measures allow the snake to intimidate and ward off predators without having to resort to striking. Venom is a resource that the snake typically uses only as a last resort. Not only do king cobras need the venom to paralyze their prey, but since they swallow their food whole, venom is also believed to aid in their digestive process.