King Cobra - World's largest venomous snake caught in Baguio city

King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah). Courtesy || Wikipedia

Cordillera - A King Cobra, considered the world's largest venomous species and among Southeast Asia's endangered species was caught by police inside a house in Loakan, Baguio city on 30th September 2021. 

Personnel from the Northern Exotics and Wildlife Troopers (NEWT), a non-governmental wildlife conservation organization based in Baguio city responded to a call to catch a cobra in the said Barangay. 

They headed to Baguio City Police Office - Station 4 after they were informed the Cobra was already in the possession of the PNP personnel. 

They identified the snake as a juvenile cobra, one of considered endangered species of snake in Southeast Asia. 

The king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is a venomous snake species of elapids endemic to jungles in Southern and Southeast Asia. 

It is distinguishable from other cobras, most noticeably by its size and neck patterns. 

The king cobra is the world's longest venomous snake, with an average length of 3.18 to 4 m (10.4 to 13.1 ft), reaching a maximum of 5.85 m (19.2 ft). 

Its skin color varies across the habitats, from black with white stripes to unbroken brownish grey. It preys chiefly on other snakes, including its own species. 

Unlike other snakes, it rarely hunts non-reptile vertebrates, such as rodents and lizards.

The King cobra was later turned over to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Cordillera for holding. 

source || PIA & Wikipedia