The king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is found across South and Southeast Asia and is the longest venomous snake in the world, with some individuals exceeding 5 meters (16 ft).
Not actually a "true" cobra
Despite the name, the king cobra isn't part of the genus Naja, which contains the "true" cobras like the Indian cobra. It belongs to its own separate genus, Ophiophagus — a name that roughly translates to "snake eater," describing its highly specialized diet.
A snake that hunts other snakes
True to its scientific name, the king cobra's diet consists mainly of other snakes, including other venomous species, along with the occasional monitor lizard.
The only snake that builds a nest
Female king cobras do something almost no other snake species does: they gather leaves and vegetation into a mound and build an actual nest for their eggs, then stay nearby to guard it — a level of parental investment that's genuinely rare among snakes.
Range: South and Southeast Asia · Length: Can exceed 5 m (16 ft) · Diet: Primarily other snakes · Venom: Neurotoxic · Habitat: Dense forest, often near water