Meet The 4 Longest Venomous Snakes. Hint: Mamba And Bushmaster No Longer In Top 3 Due To These 'New' Giants
Scott Travers
Contributor
Venomous snakes, in general, tend to be sleeker and smaller, with their evolution favoring agility and precision over brute strength. But in the forests of southern Asia, stretching from India’s Western Ghats to the mangroves of the Philippines, you might run into a terrifying exception—the world’s largest venomous snake, the king cobra.
Known for its immense size and unmatched prowess, this apex predator defies the norms of venomous snakes (which rely on their potent venom rather than physical power to subdue prey), growing up to an extraordinary 18–19 feet and commanding both awe and fear in equal measure.
Now, with the king cobra no longer classified as a single species, the rankings of the world’s longest venomous snakes are undergoing a dramatic shake-up. Snakes like the black mamba and bushmaster, once considered to be the second and third longest venomous snakes, respectively, appear to have slipped further down the list as herpetologists recognize four distinct species within the king cobra population.
What Makes The King Cobra Stand Out In The Herpetology World?
The king cobra has long held a unique and almost mythical status among snakes, captivating scientists and snake enthusiasts alike. Found across a vast range—from the forests of India and Southeast Asia to the mangroves of the Philippines—it is the world’s longest venomous snake, capable of reaching lengths of up to 18 to 19 feet.
More:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/scotttravers/2025/01/25/meet-the-4-longest-venomous-snakes-hint-mamba-and-bushmaster-no-longer-in-top-3-due-to-these-new-giants/
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