7. The King Cobra
By Michael Allen Smith from Seattle, USA – 12 – The Mystical King Cobra and Coffee Forests, CC BY-SA 2.0
The king cobra is the longest and most venomous snake in the world, and also one of the most revered and respected. It is found in the forests and grasslands of Asia, where it can grow up to 18 feet long and weigh up to 20 pounds. It has a brown or black body with yellow or white bands, and a hood that it can expand when threatened or angry. It lives in burrows or hollow trees, where it feeds on other snakes, lizards, rodents, or birds. It can also attack humans, especially if they disturb its nest or territory.
It can deliver up to 7 bites in a single attack, each with enough venom to kill 20 people. The venom can cause severe pain, swelling, nausea, vomiting, paralysis, respiratory failure, and death within hours. There is an antivenom available, but it is not always effective or accessible.
Continue on the next page!