How many King Cobra species are there now?

As of 2024, the King Cobra has been split into four separate species: Ophiophagus hannah, Ophiophagus kaalinga, Ophiophagus bungarus, and Ophiophagus salvatana.

What is the most widespread King Cobra species in India?

Ophiophagus hannah, also known as the Northern King Cobra, is widespread across Northern and Eastern India, as well as neighboring countries.

What makes Ophiophagus kaalinga unique?

It is the smallest King Cobra species, endemic to the Western Ghats, with a darker color and minimal banding, specialized for rainforest habitats.

Do all King Cobra species have the same venom?

No, while all have neurotoxic venom, their composition and effects may vary by species and region, highlighting the need for region-specific antivenom.

Why is this King Cobra reclassification important?

The reclassification impacts conservation, venom research, and antivenom development, as some species may be more vulnerable than others.

The 4 New King Cobra Species (2024 Revision)

In a groundbreaking 2024 taxonomic revision, researchers confirmed that the legendary King Cobra is not one species, but four. These distinct serpents, long hidden under a single name, are now recognized for their unique genetics, morphology, and geography.

1. Ophiophagus hannah – Northern King Cobra

Image © Gowri Shankar(CC)

Region: Northern & Eastern India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Andaman Islands
Appearance: Large, long-bodied, variable banding, olive to black in color
Habitat: Forested hills, bamboo thickets, wetlands, human-adjacent areas
Venom: Potent neurotoxin, causes respiratory paralysis
Notes: This is the "classic" King Cobra most are familiar with; very adaptable

2. Ophiophagus kaalinga – Western Ghats King Cobra

Image © Gowri Shankar(CC)

Region: Western Ghats, India (Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu)
Appearance: Darker overall, often chocolate brown or blackish, minimal banding
Habitat: Dense rainforest, montane valleys, near streams
Venom: Neurotoxic; requires region-specific antivenom study
Notes: Smallest King Cobra species; ecologically specialized

3. Ophiophagus bungarus – Sunda King Cobra

Region: Malaysia, Borneo, Sumatra, Java, parts of Thailand
Appearance: Paler in color, less defined banding, long head scales
Habitat: Lowland rainforests, mangroves, secondary forests
Venom: Neurotoxin with unknown regional variation
Notes: Formerly grouped with Southeast Asian populations of O. hannah

4. Ophiophagus salvatana – Luzon King Cobra

Region: Northern Luzon, Philippines
Appearance: Smaller size, dark body with little or no banding, distinctive scalation
Habitat: Mountain forest, river valleys, disturbed forest edges
Venom: Highly potent neurotoxin, not well-studied
Notes: Genetically isolated and considered vulnerable to habitat loss

🌍 Why This Discovery Matters

🧬 Science: Reveals evolutionary diversity within an iconic predator
⚠️ Conservation: Some species now face greater risk than previously thought
🧪 Medical: Antivenom must be customized to species and region

“Four monarchs. One legacy. The King Cobra, reborn in science.”

🙏 Special Thanks & Credits: Based on the 2024 paper “Taxonomic revision of the King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) species complex…” published in the European Journal of Taxonomy.

• Indraneil Das
• P. Gowri Shankar
• Priyanka Swamy
• Rhiannon C. Williams
• Hmar T. Lalremsanga
• P. Prashanth
• Gunanidhi Sahoo
• S.P. Vijayakumar
• Jacob Höglund
• Kartik Shanker
• Sushil K. Dutta
• S.R. Ganesh
• Wolfgang Wüster

📄 Read the full scientific paper

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