The snakes eaten by the king cobra are mostly the larger harmless species, such as Asian rat snakes, dhamans and pythons up to about ten feet (3 meters) in length. Some specimens develop a rigid diet of a single species of snake and will refuse any other type. The king cobra normally restricts its diet to cold-blooded animals, particularly other snakes. In the United States, the study of cobra venom has yielded pain relievers such as Cobroxin, used to block nerve transmission and Nyloxin, used for severe arthritis pain. Other toxins start digesting the paralyzed victim. Within minutes, neurotoxins stun the prey's nervous system, especially the impulses for breathing. The flexing of a small muscle forces the venom through the hollow fangs into the victim. It will assume an upright posture without the hood extended in order to see over bushes or tall grasses.Ī bite delivers venom from glands attached to the fangs. The king cobra will also hiss and flatten its neck ribs into a hood. When in a threat display, these snakes can raise the anterior part of their body about three to four feet (1 to 1.2 meters) off the ground and are able to follow their enemy in this position over considerable distances. This behavior is not true of nesting females, which may attack without provocation. Throughout its entire range from India to Indonesia, the king cobra causes fewer than five human deaths a year, about one-fifth as many as caused by rattlers in North America. The cobra only attacks people when it is cornered, in self-defense or to protect its eggs. Despite its aggressive reputation, the king cobra is actually much more cautious than many smaller snakes. Although the king cobra is undoubtedly a very dangerous snake, it prefers to escape unless it is provoked.
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