DAVAO CITY — A man died after being bitten by a dying King Cobra on March 20, 2023, in Santa Maria, Davao Occidental.
A video posted on social media showed that residents had already chopped off the snake’s body when a man identified as Renante, playfully let a dead King Cobra bite his hand. Renante took the head and put his hands to show that the snake is already dead.
Moments later, Renante fell ill and died an hour later.
The King Cobra measured close to 2 meters in length.
According to American Museum of Natural History. the king cobra is the largest venomous snake in the world. Whether slithering on land, climbing trees, or swimming, it’s an effective predator. When threatened or on the attack, the king cobra rears its head and creates a hood by spreading its neck ribs. Its sharp fangs are used to bite and inject venom into prey.
The Wikipedia says “The king cobra is a venomous snake endemic to Asia. With an average length of 3.18 to 4 m and a maximum record of 5.85 m, it is the world’s longest venomous snake. Coloration of this species varies across habitats, from black with white stripes to unbroken brownish grey.”
The venom of King Cobra is not the most potent among venomous snakes, but the amount of neurotoxin they can deliver in a single bite—up to two-tenths of a fluid ounce—is enough to kill 20 people or even an elephant. King cobra venom affects the respiratory centers in the brain, causing respiratory arrest and cardiac failure, the American Museum of National History added..
