THE LONGEST VENOMOUS SNAKE.
Cobra is the common name for members of the family of venomous snakes called Elapidae. They are known for their intimidating looks and deadly bite. Cobras are recognized by the hoods that they flare when angry or disturbed; the hoods are created by the extension of the ribs behind the cobras' heads. These reptiles are found throughout the Philippines, southern Asia, and Africa. Two fluid ounces of a King cobra's venom is all it takes to kill an elephant or 20 people! Its pure poison power makes this deadly creature the longest venomous snake in the world. The King cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) originates from southeast Asia and India. It grows to an average length of 3.65-4.5 m (12-15 ft) – that's as long as a family saloon car. Eek! The King cobra has 1-cm (0.5-in) long fangs but digests victims, usually other snakes, by swallowing them whole. The king Cobra will seldom attack unprovoked, but when threatened, however, the Cobra will make full use of its deadly force. It is famous for its use by snake charmers because they respond well to visual cues, and are of spectacular appearance.
A specimen measuring 5.54 m (18 ft 2 in) long was captured alive near Fort Dickson in the state of Negri Sembilan, now Malaysia, in April 1937. It later grew to 5.71 m (18 ft 9 in) in London Zoo, UK. It was destroyed at the outbreak of war in 1939, to avoid the risk of escape.

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