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Differences Between Cobras & King Cobras

Snakes are limbless, carnivorous (meat-eating) reptiles with elongated bodies, scaly skin and forked tongues. Because their body temperature is dictated by their environment -- meaning they are cold-blooded -- snakes are primarily found in temperate and tropical areas. They encompass more than 2,500 varieties, including cobras and king cobras. While cobras and king cobras share fundamental likenesses, they also have important distinctions.
  1. Cobras

    • Cobra is the common name for numerous species of poisonous snakes that are indigenous to Africa and Asia, but are found on other continents. They are characterized by their ability to expand the ribs in their neck, creating a hood-like appearance. Cobras hunt at night and generally feed on frogs, small mammals (such as rats) and birds. Cobras come in a wide range of colors, with most featuring varied patterns and markings. They usually grow four to 18 feet in length.

      Cobras are widely known as the "snakes of choice" for snake charmers. Despite the appearance that cobras dance to snake charmers' music, cobras are deaf to ambient sounds. Instead, they sense the vibrations on the ground from the sounds of music and respond to the movements of the snake charmer and flute.

    King Cobras

    • King cobras are the longest of all poisonous snakes, growing up to 18 feet in length. They are generally timid and avoid contact with humans; however, they are ferocious in defending their young and when cornered. While king cobra venom is not the most powerful among poisonous snakes, the amount of venom secreted in a single bite is potent enough to kill 20 people.

      Kings cobras are highly diverse in color, which varies among regions. They primarily feed on lizards, other snakes, small mammals and eggs.

    Differences

    • Cobras are different types of snakes within the scientific family Elapidae; whereas king cobra is an individual species of cobra. The scientific/species name for king cobra is Ophiophagus Hannah.

      Unlike other snakes -- including cobras -- king cobras are the only snakes on Earth that construct nests for their eggs. Also, while the average life span of cobras, overall, is up to 30 years, the average life span of king cobras is 20 years.

    Elapidae

    • The family Elapidae consists of mambas, coral snakes, kraits and cobras. Elapidae encompasses more than 200 species, which are further classified among more than 30 genuses. The two Elapidae genera that are most commonly associated with cobras are genus Naja and genus Ophiophagus, of which king cobra is a member.


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