Ophiophagus hannah

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	REPTILIA	SQUAMATA	ELAPIDAE

Scientific Name:

Ophiophagus hannah

Species Authority:

(Cantor, 1836)

Common Name/s:

English

–

King Cobra, Hamadryad

Synonym/s:

Dendraspis bungarus (Schlegel, 1837)

Dendraspis hannah (Cantor, 1836)

Hamadryas elaps Günther, 1858

Hamadryas hannah Cantor, 1836

Hamadryas ophiophagus Cantor, 1838

Naja bungarus Schlegel, 1837

Naja hannah (Cantor, 1836)

Naja ingens Van Hasselt, 1882

Naja vittata Elliott, 1840

Ophiophagus elaps (Günther, 1858)

Taxonomic Notes:

Because of the wide distribution of this species, many herpetologists believe that this is a species complex (R. Inger pers. comm.).

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:	Vulnerable A2cd ver 3.1
Year Published:	2010
Assessor/s:	Inger R.F., Stuart, B.L., Auliya, M., Shankar, G. & Mohapatra, P.
Reviewer/s:	Bohm, M, Collen, B. & Ram, M.
Contributor/s:	Zug, G., De Silva, R., Milligan, HT, Wearn, O.R., Wren, S., Zamin, T., Sears, J., Wilson, P., Lewis, S., Lintott, P., Powney, G., Collen, B. & Ram, M.
Justification: Ophiophagus hannah has been assessed as Vulnerable under criterion A2cd. This species has a wide distribution range, however, it is not common in any area in which it occurs. A population reduction of 30% over 75 years has been inferred because of the numerous threats against this species, including habitat destruction and harvesting of mature individuals from the wild. Conservation measures are required to reduce the rate of habitat loss within its range and to protect this species from persecution. Research into, and monitoring of the population status of this species is recommended to gain a better understanding of how the population responds to threats and conservation.

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	This species is widely distributed throughout south central Asia and Southeast Asia, from India in the west, eastward to Indonesia and north into southern China below the 25° latitude. This species also occurs in the Philippines. It is found up to a maximum altitude of 2,000 m above sea level.
Countries:	Native: Bangladesh; Bhutan; Brunei Darussalam; Cambodia; China (Sichuan, Tibet [or Xizang], Yunnan); Hong Kong; India (Andaman Is.); Indonesia (Bali, Jawa, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Sumatera); Lao People's Democratic Republic; Malaysia (Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, Sarawak); Myanmar; Nepal; Philippines; Singapore; Thailand; Viet Nam
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	This species is not commonly found. A population reduction of 30% over 75 years has been inferred because of the numerous threats against this species, including habitat destruction and harvesting of mature individuals from the wild. A relatively recent study in northwestern India showed that even though the species was recorded in diverse ecosystems, analysis of observational records revealed that abundance of King Cobras and that of undisturbed forests are strongly linked to each other (Das et al. 2008), indicating that the destruction of natural forests is likely causing significant declines in this species' population.
Population Trend:	Unknown

Population:

This species is not commonly found. A population reduction of 30% over 75 years has been inferred because of the numerous threats against this species, including habitat destruction and harvesting of mature individuals from the wild. A relatively recent study in northwestern India showed that even though the species was recorded in diverse ecosystems, analysis of observational records revealed that abundance of King Cobras and that of undisturbed forests are strongly linked to each other (Das et al. 2008), indicating that the destruction of natural forests is likely causing significant declines in this species' population.

Population Trend:

Unknown

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	This species is found in a variety of habitats, primarily in forests, but it can also be found in degraded forest, mangrove swamps and even agricultural areas with remnants of woodland. It has also been found swimming in rivers in non-forested land and probably occurs in palm oil plantations (R. Inger pers. comm.).
Systems:	Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	This species is threatened by destruction of habitat due to mining, logging and agricultural expansion and the harvesting of individuals for skin, food and medicine (R. Inger pers. comm. 2010). Southeast Asia is experiencing one of the highest rates of deforestation in the tropics (Sodhi et al. 2009). It is also used in the domestic and international pet trade (M. Auliya, pers. comm. 2010), and suffers persecution by humans in parts of its range. Animals are also illegally collected for their venom in parts of its range. It is collected by snake charmers in India. The wild population in China was considered as “very low” in the 1990s (Zhou & Jiang 2004), which very likely reflects the trade impact in China for medicinal purposes.

Major Threat(s):

This species is threatened by destruction of habitat due to mining, logging and agricultural expansion and the harvesting of individuals for skin, food and medicine (R. Inger pers. comm. 2010). Southeast Asia is experiencing one of the highest rates of deforestation in the tropics (Sodhi et al. 2009). It is also used in the domestic and international pet trade (M. Auliya, pers. comm. 2010), and suffers persecution by humans in parts of its range. Animals are also illegally collected for their venom in parts of its range. It is collected by snake charmers in India. The wild population in China was considered as “very low” in the 1990s (Zhou & Jiang 2004), which very likely reflects the trade impact in China for medicinal purposes.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	The species is listed on Appendix II of CITES. In India, it is included in Schedule II Part II of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. There are protected areas within the range of this species which probably provide small safeguards from harvesting pressure. Conservation measures are required to reduce the rate of habitat destruction occurring within its range and manage the trade levels of this species. Further research into, and monitoring of the population status of this species is required, as well as research into sustainable harvesting levels. Educational programmes may also help to limit the persecution of the species.

Conservation Actions:

The species is listed on Appendix II of CITES. In India, it is included in Schedule II Part II of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. There are protected areas within the range of this species which probably provide small safeguards from harvesting pressure. Conservation measures are required to reduce the rate of habitat destruction occurring within its range and manage the trade levels of this species. Further research into, and monitoring of the population status of this species is required, as well as research into sustainable harvesting levels. Educational programmes may also help to limit the persecution of the species.

Citation:	Inger R.F., Stuart, B.L. & Auliya, M. 2010. Ophiophagus hannah. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 24 May 2012.
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