Cobra species live in Vietnam, why no king cobra?

What kind of snake is the banana snake? Where do cobras live? What species of cobras are there in Vietnam? Let's find out together!

 

Cobra is the common name for a group of venomous snakes, mostly of the genus Naja. All cobras are venomous, and most are capable of producing venom when threatened.

The cobra is one of the most venomous snakes on the planet, known for its fearsome hood and lightning-fast strikes. While its venom and power may strike fear into people's hearts, the role the cobra plays in ecosystems is invaluable, from controlling rat populations to maintaining the balance between predators.

The LD50 value of the venom of these snakes is an indicator of how lethal it is to a human victim. LD50, or 'Lethal Dose,' represents the dose of cobra venom required to kill 50% of the individuals in the tested population. Therefore, the lower the LD50 value, the more potent the venom.

There are many different species of cobras in Vietnam, but the king cobra is not one of them. Please read the article below to learn about the cobras that live in Vietnam and why the king cobra is not one of them.

1. Cobra (Scientific name: Naja kaouthia)

 

The cobra is also known as the black cobra, black cobra, wax cobra, black puffer snake, single-eyed cobra, three-ringed snake. When the hood is spread, the back of the neck of this snake has a characteristic black color and a white circle.

The habitat of this snake species is throughout the entire territory of Vietnam, including the plains, midlands and mountains. Newly hatched cobras are only 200 - 350mm long and have the ability to spread their necks ferociously. Adults are 1.3 to 2m long and can live up to 30 years.

The venom of the cobra is very dangerous, containing toxins that directly harm the nervous system.

2. King Cobra (Scientific name: Naja atra)

Cobra is also known as flower cobra, white cobra, white fat, Chinese cobra, Taiwanese cobra, flower cobra,. This snake species is black or brown, has a white circle in the middle but has 2 more lines extending to both sides of the gills like 2 glasses.

The average length of the cobra is about 1 meter or more, widely distributed in plains, midlands and mountains.

This snake also has the ability to spit venom. Its venom is extremely dangerous, containing toxins that affect the human nervous system.

3. Siamese snake (Scientific name: Naja siamensis)

 

Spitting cobras are also known as spitting cobras, banana cobras, Siamese cobras, Indochinese spitting cobras. This venomous snake species in Vietnam is grayish brown or pale greenish yellow. A distinctive feature of them is that they spread their hoods forward instead of to the sides like other cobra species.

The Tiger Snake is commonly found in the South of Vietnam. When encountering a predator or feeling threatened, this snake is extremely aggressive and often makes a threatening sound. This snake is also capable of spitting venom very far and accurately. The poison in its venom affects the entire body.

4. King Cobra (Scientific name: Ophiophagus hannah)

King cobras are also called cobras and have the ability to spread their hoods, but they belong to the genus Ophiophagus and not the true cobra genus (scientific name: Naja).

The king cobra, or clouded cobra, is an extremely dangerous snake, considered the king of snakes. The king cobra has an average length of 3.18 - 4 meters and can be nearly 6 meters long, this is the venomous snake with the longest body in the world.

The distinguishing mark of a king cobra is the V-shaped line on the back of its neck. King cobras live throughout Vietnam.

King cobra venom is extremely toxic and can kill an adult in just 30 minutes.