Consider the following statements regarding the King Cobra
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It is the largest venomous snake whose neurotoxin venom causes respiratory arrest and cardiac failure.
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It is endemic to the Western Ghats region of India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation:
Only statement 1st is correct.
- In ground-breaking research, a well-known wildlife biologist from Agumbe has proved that king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) the longest venomous snake in the world, has four different species.
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It is the world’s largest venomous snake and an active hunter.
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The main feature that distinguishes the king cobra from other cobras is the possession of 11 large scales on the crown of its head.
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It preys almost exclusively on other snakes, prowling in forests, fields, and villages in the daytime as well as at night.
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It was in 1836 that a broad spectrum of king cobra species was named Ophiophagus hannah by Danish naturalist, Theodore Edward Cantor.
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The amount of venom that they can deliver in a single bite is enough to kill 10 people or even an elephant.
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The neurotoxin venom of King Cobra affects the respiratory centres, causing respiratory arrest and cardiac failure.
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The king cobras are the only snakes in the world to build nests that are 4 ftx 3 ft and the female king cobras are found ferociously guarding them.
The study identified four species of king cobra:
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Ophiophagus kaalinga: Found in the Western Ghats of southwestern India, this species has fewer than 40 bands on its body.
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Ophiophagus hannah: Inhabiting northern and eastern India, the Andaman Islands, eastern Pakistan, Indo-Burma, Indo-China, and Thailand, this species displays 50 to 70 bands.
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Ophiophagus bungarus: Found in the Malay Peninsula, Greater Sunda Islands, and parts of southern Philippines, it features more than 70 bands.
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Ophiophagus salvatana: Native to Luzon in the northern Philippines, this species lacks bands altogether.
Conservation status
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IUCN: Vulnerable
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CITES: Appendix II
Hence option 1st is correct.
By: Shubham Tiwari ProfileResourcesReport error