Below is a comparison between two deadly snakes found in Thailand and across much of Southeast Asia. Sometimes it is difficult to tell which cobra you have in front of you, but this chart should make it a little easier. You’ll also learn some cobra facts while you’re at it.
The easiest way to identify a king cobra is the much larger head. Another easy way is that any cobra over 3 meters – is a king cobra.
| King Cobra (O. hannah) | Monocled Cobra (N. kaouthia) | |
|---|---|---|
| Length at Birth | 38-59 cm (15-23 inches) | 33-46 cm (13-18 inches) |
| Maximum Length | 5.85 m ( ft.) | 2 m ( ft.) |
| Maximum Girth | 41 cm (16 inches) | 23 cm (9 inches) |
| Colors | Brown, Yellow, Olive Green, Black, Grey | Brown, Black |
| Habitat | Deep forest to residential areas. | Mostly residential areas. |
| Thailand Range | Most areas. | All |
| Diet | Snakes, monitor lizards | Rodents, snakes |
| Strength of Venom (LD-50) | 1.09 mg/kg | .24 mg/kg |
| Volume of Venom in Ave bite (dry) | 420 mg | 263 mg |
| Spitting Capability | None | Possible, around 30% can spit venom |
| Time Until Death with Severe Envenomation | Under 10 minutes. | Couple of hours. |
| IUCN Redlist Status | Vulnerable | Least Concern |
| Thailand Law on Captivity | Illegal | Illegal |
| CITES Treaty Status | Protected | Protected |