send mail to support@abhimanu.com mentioning your email id and mobileno registered with us! if details not recieved
Resend Opt after 60 Sec.
By Loging in you agree to Terms of Services and Privacy Policy
Claim your free MCQ
Please specify
Sorry for the inconvenience but we’re performing some maintenance at the moment. Website can be slow during this phase..
Please verify your mobile number
Login not allowed, Please logout from existing browser
Please update your name
Subscribe to Notifications
Stay updated with the latest Current affairs and other important updates regarding video Lectures, Test Schedules, live sessions etc..
Your Free user account at abhipedia has been created.
Remember, success is a journey, not a destination. Stay motivated and keep moving forward!
Refer & Earn
Enquire Now
My Abhipedia Earning
Kindly Login to view your earning
Support
Context: A king cobra species from the Western Ghats, known as “Kalinga Sarpa,” will now be officially named Ophiophagus kaalinga.
Ophiophagus Kaalinga is found in the Western Ghats, a biodiversity hotspot in South India, specifically in regions like Agumbe, Karnataka.
The Western Ghats is known for its rich variety of flora and fauna and is considered one of the world's eight "hottest hotspots" of biological diversity.
This species has fewer than 40 bands on its body.
Species Differentiation: Historically, all king cobras were classified under a single species Ophiophagus hannah. However, after extensive genetic research, it was found that there are four different lineages of king cobras across Asia, each living in different regions:
Western Ghats lineage (now identified as Ophiophagus Kaalinga)
Indo-Chinese lineage
Indo-Malaysian lineage
Luzon Island lineage (from the Philippines, named Ophiophagus Salvatana)
The formal naming of this species is not just a taxonomic achievement, but it also has ecological and medical implications. For example, there is currently no specific anti-venom for king cobra bites in India. The identification of distinct species like Ophiophagus Kaalinga could lead to the development of targeted anti-venoms and better medical treatments for bites.
King cobra venom, though not the most potent in terms of toxicity, is still highly dangerous due to the large amount of venom they can deliver in a single bite. Their venom acts as a neurotoxin, affecting the respiratory system and leading to respiratory failure and cardiac arrest.
The king cobra is unique in that it is the only snake species in the world known to build nests. Female king cobras guard their nests, which can measure 4 feet by 3 feet, and lay 23-43 eggs. After laying the eggs, the mother leaves the nest, and the hatchlings emerge on their own.
King cobras are territorial and aggressive when threatened, but they are also highly revered in local cultures due to their powerful and majestic presence.
'Vulnerable' on Red List of Threatened Species by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
Appendix II of Convention on International Trade on Endangered Species (Cites)
By: Shubham Tiwari ProfileResourcesReport error
Access to prime resources
New Courses