| Author | Tom Charlton |
| ISBN | 9789838121835 |
| Publisher | Natural History Publications Borneo |
| Language | English |
| Pages | 151 |
| Format | Hardcover |
| Images | Colour images |
| Year published | 2018 |
The king cobra, the longest venomous snake in the world, is widely distributed across much of tropical and subtropical Asia. Its generic name Ophiophagus (‘snake-eater’) is indicative of its cannibalistic tendencies; its diet is comprised almost exclusively of snakes, including its own kind. The enormous lengths that the king cobra can reach, combined with an intimidating threat display and possession of highly neurotoxic venom, have led to it being greatly feared by many. It is widely considered as one of the most formidable snakes in the world.
However, whilst undoubtedly dangerous when provoked, the king cobra is undeserving of its fearsome reputation. Research has shown it to be an extremely shy and elusive reptile exhibiting fascinating behavioural traits, some of which are totally unique within the world of snakes. Even after more than 180 years since the king cobra was first described in 1836, many of its secrets are yet to be revealed. Importantly, monitoring of wild populations has shown signs of rapid decline in numbers in many areas, and so continued conservation efforts are required to secure the reign of the king cobra across its distribution.
This book, profusely illustrated with excellent photographs from a number of very talented photographers, details the natural history of the king cobra, looking closely at all aspects of its life including distribution, diet, reproduction and venom, as well as its relationship with humans and conservation. The author also provides notes on the captive management of the king cobra, drawing on his experience of maintaining and breeding this species for a number of years.
Part One: The natural history of the King Cobra
- The King Cobra
- –Hamadryad — An early description
- – The Elapids
- – Description and colour variations
- – Differentiating King Cobras from Asiatic true cobras and other Asian snakes
- – Size and life span
- – Questioning the validity of the famous record-sized king cobra
- Distribution, habitat and climate
- Population range
- Habitat and climate
- Behaviours and habits
- Diet and feeding
- Reproduction
- Relationship with humans
- Status and conservation
- Bites and venom
- First aid for the bite from a King Cobra, Ophiophagus hannah
- Venom delivery, composition and effects
Part Two: The King Cobra in captivity
- Captivity
- Wild-caught vs captive-bred
- Handling
- Handling equipment
- Restraining
- Housing and environment
- Housing juveniles
- Housing adults
- Water and hydration
- Heating and temperature
- Lighting and photoperiod
- Feeding
- Snakes vs rodents
- Converting a snake-eater to a rodent-feeder
- Meal size and frequency
- Feeding enrichment
- Captive reproduction
- Sexing
- Environmental cycling
- Pairing
- Egg development, nesting and ovipositio
- Incubation and egg management
- Nest incubation
- Hatchling care
- Feeding hatchlings
- Assist-feeding
- Common health ailments
- Quarantine
- Rostral abrasions
- Retained shed and eye-caps
- Mites and ticks
- Mouth rot
- Respiratory infections
- References
- General index
- Index to scientific names
