King Cobra Reclassified into Four Species: A recent study has transformed our understanding of the king cobra, the world's longest venomous snake. For nearly 188 years, this snake was classified as a single species, Ophiophagus hannah. However, extensive research over the past decades has revealed that it actually comprises four distinct species.
The research, led by wildlife biologist P. Gowri Shankar and supported by scientists from various countries including the U.K., Sweden, Malaysia, and India, used genetic and morphological analyses to identify the differences among king cobras across their geographic range. The findings were published recently in 2025 and challenge the long-held belief that all king cobras belonged to a single species despite their visual differences.?
For 188 years, all King Cobras were classified under a single species. However, variations in body color, behavior, and habitat prompted scientists to conduct detailed genetic studies. Their findings confirmed that these snakes have significant genetic differences, leading to their classification into four separate species.
The four newly recognized species of king cobra are:
| Species Name? | Scientific Name? | Habitat?? |
|---|---|---|
| Northern King Cobra?? | Ophiophagus hannah?? | Northern India, Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet, China?? |
| Sunda King Cobra?? | Ophiophagus hannah?? | Southern Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia?? |
| Western Ghats King Cobra?? | Ophiophagus hannah?? | Indian rainforests and hill country of Western Ghats?? |
| Luzon King Cobra?? | Ophiophagus salvatana?? | Luzon Island, Philippines?? |
This discovery is important for conservation because each species has different habitat needs and threats. For example:
King Cobra venom is highly neurotoxic, meaning it affects the nervous system. Scientists found that venom composition varies between the four species. This means that antivenom must be specifically developed for each type of King Cobra to improve snakebite treatment.
Each of the newly identified King Cobra species has unique behaviors and habitat preferences:
The king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is the longest venomous snake in the world. It usually grows between 3.18 to 4 meters (10.4 to 13.1 feet), but the longest recorded one was 5.85 meters (19.2 feet). This snake is found in Asia, from the Indian subcontinent to Southeast Asia and southern China.?
King cobras live in forests, bamboo thickets, and mangrove swamps, mostly near streams where the air is humid. They are listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List because their homes are being destroyed and they face other dangers from human activities.