UDSpacearrow's+Cobra

Extinct Species- Titanoboa Future Species- Super Cobus The King Cobra is world's lengthiest venomous snake, reaching lengths of 5-6 meters. They are also fierce, aggressive and vigilant predator snakes, and are capable of delivering around 400ug of venom, enough to kill an elephant within minutes. Lots of other snakes, like the [|rattlesnake], the [|coral snake] and [|sea snakes] also contain venom. King Cobras are known for the fact that they stand upright, ready for action, whenever they try to observe their surroundings, feel threatened or hungry for prey. Their prey include smaller animals, marsupials, other snakes as well as insects.
 * Alesander Tsang's /UD Spacearrow's King Cobra**




 * Modern Day Cobra- the King Cobra**

Profile: Class: Reptilia Order: Squamata Family: Elaphidae Length and Weight: 3.6-4 meters, 5-7 kg Color: Olive green, black, cream Habitat: South, South East and East Asia, in dense forests Diet: Other Snakes, small vertebrates Venom: Neurotoxins, around 400mg per bite



__**//Adaptations://**__

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1. (Psychological) The King Cobra can feel sound vibrations that travel through its skin to its jawbones. This allows the King Cobra to detect or hear for any prey nearby, as well as any danger. The King Cobra can then act appropriately to see whether to flee or fight. The King Cobra is a relatively long animal, and instead of looking back, it is able to feel the vibrations, to check whether there is any harm from behind. In the forest, lots of small prey are camouflaged, and the King Cobra might probably miss out on a prey. If they can feel the sound vibrations as emitted by prey, the chances of it missing prey can be decreased.=====

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2.(Behavior) Good Eyesight- the King Cobra has the ability to clearly see for 330 meters away. It can see potential prey, as well as any potential dangers. It also has eyes positioned slightly angled around the sides of its head in order to see in front and also its surroundings. Again, it can help the King Cobra to decide whether to flee or fight. The King Cobra's is a small animal, and observing its surroundings is important, as there are potential hazards too. Because the King Cobra has a relatively paranoid and vigilant character, it needs to look at its surroundings more closely to protect themselves.=====

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3. (Structural) Deadly Venom- King Cobras deliver around 400mg of venom in one bite, and is capable of killing 20 people or one elephant, only in minutes. Because the size of the King Cobra is relatively small and it does not have strong jaws or legs, the venom remains as its sole weapon. The venom is able to paralyze prey and predators. It paralyzes the prey to make mealtime easier for the cobra, and can also paralyze predators to protect itself. The King Cobra developed venom, since it is a relatively small animal and it does not have the big jaws or muscles necessary to secure its prey, so it needs to secure the prey by using venom.=====

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4. (Structural) Brown toned, olive green skin color- The King Cobra is able to camouflage in dense forests. The King Cobra usually dwell on trees, muddy ground as well as mangrove swamps, as the tropical environments of the Asian forests offers this environment. Therefore, the brown tone skin color gives effective camouflage, wherever it goes, mostly to stop prey from noting its presence, lowering their sense of security. The King Cobra's habitat of the South East Asian rainforests contain wet mud, and a vast array of wood and trees. The King Cobra needs to develop a body color, which allows them to hide themselves effectively.=====

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5. (Behavior) Sensitive tongue- There is a special organ on the King Cobra's tongue, called the Vomeronasal Organ. This organ is sensitive, as it is used to smell prey. The reason why they like to 'slither' their tongues, is because they're smelling for prey. This is effective, since the King Cobra itself is a predator, and it is able to smell prey which could be camouflaged or hidden from sight. This feature is mainly for short distance detecting, while longer distance detecting can be done with the King Cobra's feeling of sound vibrations. Due to the fact that King Cobras live in dense forests, there are good chances that small prey might be hiding from it (if they can't be tricked by the King Cobra's camouflage), or the King Cobra itself might be tricked by other animals' camouflage, so the detecting of prey by tongue allows the King Cobra not to miss a perfect opportunity while hunting for prey.=====

__**//Habitat://**__

Rainforest, swampy mangrove conditions

King Cobras can be found in these areas:

So Far, King Cobras can be found in Southern China, South Western China, India, Indochina Region, Indonesia, and Burma.They live in areas of dense forests and highland forests, especially in areas around lakes and streams, as King Cobras have the ability to swim in shallow water. Also, King Cobras enjoy climbing trees, as there is usually prey, loitering around in trees, and tree branches are also ideal places for them to have a rest, undisturbed, and protected due to its camouflage. Deforestation has caused lots of King Cobras to loose their homes, and they are now classified as an endangered species. A majority of King Cobras now live in forests reserves mainly in the Asian region.

Bibliography: National Geographic Channal,. (2009). //King cobra ophiophagus hannah//. Retrieved from http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/reptiles/king-cobra/ Buzzle,. (2000). //King cobra snakes//. Retrieved from http://www.buzzle.com/articles/king-cobra-snakes.html Klien, J. (1994, March 1). //Cobra info sites//. Retrieved from http://www.cobras.org/ deepti_iyer,. (2010, August). //King cobra picture//. Retrieved from http://www.twitsnaps.com/1027478