The king cobra originates from the forests of Southeast Asia and is one of the most venomous snakes in the world. These dangerous snakes can be distinguished from other cobras by their size and hood shape.
King cobra faces African elephant, who will win?
Additionally, they are the longest venomous snakes in the world, primarily preying on other snakes, including their own kind. Furthermore, the king cobra holds significant symbolism in folklore and mythology in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and India. In fact, it is the national reptile of India.
Meanwhile, the African elephant is the largest land animal still in existence today. They have a wide distribution, being present in 37 countries across Africa. It is easy to identify an African elephant by the size of its trunk, which it uses to grasp objects and communicate.
Comparison Between King Cobra and Elephant
What is the main difference between a king cobra and an elephant?
The biggest difference between the king cobra and the elephant is their size. However, this does not mean that the elephant will automatically win in a battle. As mentioned earlier, elephants are herbivores and do not exhibit predatory behavior, while snakes are proficient hunters with many skills for stalking their prey.
Moreover, this snake can release extremely potent venom that can kill an adult elephant. However, although elephants do not hunt or eat meat, they can certainly defend themselves in a confrontation. These unique characteristics are essential in determining which species would emerge victorious. So, if a king cobra fought an African elephant, who would win? To find the answer, we need to analyze their strengths and weaknesses.
Elephants are herbivores and do not exhibit predatory behavior.
What are the main factors in the battle between the king cobra and the elephant?
Determining who would win in a battle between the king cobra and the elephant requires considering multiple factors. Therefore, we compare each animal based on five criteria, and the one that scores the most points will win the battle.
Size
The king cobra and elephant differ significantly in size. The king cobra measures about 10.4 to 13.1 feet in length and weighs an average of 13 pounds. In contrast, an African elephant weighs around 6 tons, measures 19 to 24 feet in length, and stands about 11 feet tall. Thus, in this criterion, the elephant scores.
Speed and Movement
The king cobra has an average ground speed of 11 miles per hour, faster than humans—who walk at about 3 miles per hour and run at 9 miles per hour. Additionally, these snakes can slither into tight spaces where they patiently wait for their prey. Another advantage of the king cobra is its swimming ability. They enjoy swimming and diving underwater, where they wait for their prey. However, they are also excellent climbers, often seen slithering up trees.
Elephants can run at an average speed of 15 miles per hour, with some claiming that their maximum speed is 25 miles per hour. However, no studies have been conducted to prove this theory. Elephants are also talented swimmers and enjoy spending time in water and mud. However, their large size limits their mobility, making them less agile than the king cobra.
Therefore, the king cobra and elephant tie in this round, as the elephant is faster but the cobra moves better in its environment.
King cobra has an average ground speed of 11 miles per hour.
Defense
Both the king cobra and the elephant possess excellent defensive capabilities. For example, the king cobra is very agile and has a deadly bite. Its venom is a neurotoxin that causes paralysis. In fact, it is so toxic that it can kill an adult elephant within a few hours. Additionally, they have colors and patterns on their bodies that can blend into their habitats, providing excellent camouflage.
The primary defense mechanism of elephants is their size. Few predators would dare to confront this giant. Moreover, their thick skin protects their massive bodies. Finally, elephants primarily live in herds, providing safety in numbers.
Thus, the elephants win this round.
Both king cobras and elephants have excellent defensive capabilities.
Attack Capability
The king cobra has fangs that are 0.5 inches long and can inject up to 1,000 mg of venom into a victim, which can be fatal if untreated. However, they typically do not confront unless provoked and often retreat.
Elephants have trunks that can lift 770 pounds, and their 6-ton bodies can crush anything. However, snakes are more agile and can easily slither beneath an elephant’s feet, delivering a lethal dose of neurotoxin.
Nonetheless, elephants still win this round because even a venomous king cobra cannot protect itself from the elephant’s immense size.
Predatory Behavior
The king cobra exhibits several predatory behaviors. First, they are ambush predators. Second, they use their tongues to smell their prey. Additionally, they strike quickly. Before the prey realizes it, they have injected a lethal dose of venom.
Elephants do not exhibit predatory behavior as they are herbivores. However, they are extremely aggressive animals and will never back down when threatened. Therefore, the king cobra wins this round.
King cobra exhibits several predatory behaviors.
Which species would win in the battle between the king cobra and the elephant?
In the battle between the king cobra and the elephant, the elephant would win. Although the venom of the king cobra is potent enough to kill an elephant, the elephant outperforms the snake in nearly every category. With its colossal size and strength; a single stomp would crush the king cobra like a pancake. Furthermore, since the king cobra’s fangs are only 0.5 inches long, they cannot even penetrate the thick skin of the elephant. Additionally, king cobras typically avoid confrontation, so they would slither away if they heard something as large as an elephant approaching.
