The Serpentes Spot

The King cobra has observably distinguished itself from other cobras hence why it has been named the King cobra. One feature of this species that has contributed to its common name is its appearance when it feels threatened. As discussed in the previous post, King cobras prefer to remain away from humans and will only attack when it feels that it is in danger. When the King cobra prepares to attack, it flares its neck muscles so they appear like a hood, giving them a much more frightening appearance. This hood can be seen in the attached image and appears when the cobra uses its eight of its neck muscles and ribs to elongate the cobra’s body starting from the head to the lower neck. The King cobra’s appearance when threatened is altered to give it this wider neck. The appearance of the wider neck and head, along with the snake also being able to stand up feet above ground, allow other predators and humans to be scared off. 

Despite its tame nature, at least compared to other smaller, venomous snakes, King cobras are sometimes driven to attack the thing making them feel threatened. However, they also attack prey in the same manner. When the King cobra bites, they inject a powerful venom into its victim. One bite alone is enough to kill up to 20 people. This is achieve as the venom is released through the fangs of the King cobra from a gland located above them. Neurotoxins in the venom inhibit the binding of neurotransmitters controlling muscles contraction, specifically acetylcholine, from binding to muscle cell receptors. Due to muscle contraction being affected, paralysis and respiratory failure occur after being bitten. The major ability that makes this cobra the king of them all however, is its ability to eat other equally venomous snakes and not be affected by their venom. King cobras have an ‘immunity’ to the venom of other snakes that has been developed through mutations in the cobra’s genetics. These toxins found in the venom are not able to bind to the cobra’s receptors having a different effect that is does on the King cobra’s prey. Due to the neurotoxins not inhibiting the neurotransmitters from binding to the receptors, the production and use of acetylcholine remains intact.

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Scribd. (n.d.). Read mighty king cobra online. Scribd. Retrieved February 23, 2023, from https://www.scribd.com/article/536316071/Mighty-King-Cobra

~ by svega5 on February 26, 2023 .