Man Grabs King Cobra Big Enough to Take Down an Elephant

This is not something that you should try yourself. This startling clip shows a man in the jungles of Borneo handling a giant cobra. This is a truly magnificent snake that can produce enough venom to take down an elephant. There is no doubt that it could kill a human! Luckily, this man is an expert and does not get injured during the encounter.

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Where Do King Cobras Normally Live?

King cobras are magnificent snakes in the Elapidae family the scientific name is Ophiophagus hannah. They are found in Northern India and their range extends east into the south of China. They can also be found in Hong Kong, Hainan, further south throughout the Malay Peninsula, and eastwards towards Western Indonesia and the Philippines.

When it comes to habitat, the environment that you see in this clip is typical terrain for king cobras. They are often spotted near streams and live in both dense and open forests as well as in bamboo thickets. King cobras are sometimes spotted adjacent to agricultural areas and in mangrove swamps.

What Do King Cobras Normally Look Like?

King cobras are big snakes! They are often up to 12 feet in length but some individuals can reach 18 feet. As adults, they are yellow-green or brown but some are black. They usually have yellowish or white crossbars or chevrons on their body. The throat is usually a light yellow or cream color.  Young king cobras are jet black with yellow or white crossbars.

How Do King Cobras Usually Behave?

These cobras are regarded as fierce and aggressive snakes. They are usually active during the day. Despite their ferocious reputation, most cobras would prefer to avoid you than attack you. The exceptions to this rule are nesting females who can attack without provocation. They display their intention to attack by raising the front part of their body several feet off the ground. King cobras have been known to pursue their enemies in this position over considerable distances!

A king cobra bite is a serious medical emergency. They produce a strong neurotoxin that affects parts of our brain that control breathing. The toxin can be deadly because it can cause respiratory arrest and cardiac failure and this can happen in a very short time after the bite. There is an anti-venom available and if this is administered quickly after the bite a full recovery is possible. Sadly, our fear of these snakes has contributed to human persecution and they are now considered a vulnerable species.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/takeo1775