Sunda King Cobra (Ophiophagus Bungarus) is a large and highly venomous snake native to parts of Southeast Asia, particularly Indonesia. It is closely related to the true King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) and is recognized for its immense size, reaching lengths over 4 meters. This species has a distinctive hood and an olive-brown to black coloration with lighter underparts. It primarily feeds on other snakes, including venomous species, and is typically found in forested areas, plantations, and near water sources.
Sunda King Cobra
Ophiophagus bungarus
☠️ Highly venomous
Description
Venomous?
Yes, highly venomous. Its neurotoxic venom can cause rapid paralysis and respiratory failure in humans if untreated.
A Danger to Humans?
Generally shy and avoids confrontation, but will raise its hood, hiss, and strike defensively when threatened. Due to its size and potent venom, it poses significant danger if provoked or cornered.
Population Size
Stable
Life Span
-
WEIGHT
30.5 g
LENGTH
Average total length 3 m, maksimum 4 m
Ar
Arboreal
Ca
Carnivore
Di
Diurnal
No
Nocturnal
Te
Terrestrial
Classification
KINGDOM
:
Animalia
PHYLUM
:
Chordata
CLASS
:
Reptilia
ORDER
:
Squamata
FAMILY
:
Elapidae
GENUS
:
Ophiophagus
SPECIES
:
Ophiophagus bungarus
Distribution
Sunda King Cobra live in forests and plantations up to 2100 m asl. In Bali, the Sunda King Cobra usually lives around bamboo trees, making nests under piles of dry bamboo leaves.
Geography
Continents : Asia
Country : India including the Andaman Islands, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh. Southern China including Hainan Islands and Hongkong, and southeast Asia including Borneo, Philippines, Sumatra, Java, Bali, and Sulawesi.
Habits and Lifestyle
Sunda King Cobra mostly occupies forested areas and thick plantations with vegetation cover. Terrestrial as adult, but juveniles are more arboreal. When disturbed or threatened, may rear, spread hood, and bite.
Lifestyle
Terrestrial and Arboreal
Biome
Tropical forest
Climate Zone
Tropical
Diet and Nutrition
Sunda King Cobra are carnivore that eats on other snakes and large lizards such as monitor lizards.
Diet : Carnivora
Mating Habits
Sunda King Cobra is spesies oviparous with clutch size of 20 – 51 eggs. Females build nests of dead leaves and stay with the eggs until they hatch, which takes 70 days at 28ºC.
Reproduction session : Rainy season
Incubation periods : 70 days
Independent age : at birth
Baby name : –
Baby carrying : 20 – 51 eggs
Population
Population status : Vulnerable
NE
DD
LC
NT
VU
EN
CR
EW
EX
Population threats
The species is threatened by habitat destruction from logging and agricultural expansion, as Southeast Asia experiences one of the highest rates of deforestation in the tropics and it is most abundant in forest habitats. This species is harvested for food, and mainly medicinal purposes in China. In Bali, hunting is carried out mainly to supply zoos and international gatherers, but is sometimes found for sale in snake restaurants.
Population number
Ophiophagus bungarus has been assessed as Vulnerable. This species has a wide distribution range, however, it is not common in any area in which it occurs (with the apparent exception of Thailand, and there only in forested areas), is very rare in much of its range, and has experienced local population declines of over 80% over 10 years in parts of its range.