Philadelphia Zoo King Cobra (Read the description please!)

[superhack211]

why is the snake looking at you ??

[ZooVisitorMM]

@superhack211 A lot of zoo animals appear to be observing visitors as much as the visitors are observing them!

[DRAGONPeaceGrrl]

also another thing... why does this snake have pupils that are not slitted like other snakes?

[ZooVisitorMM]

@DRAGONPeaceGrrl I have heard people say non-venomous snakes have round pupils, and venomous snakes have slit-like pupils. But, obviously, that is not always true, as in this case.

[DRAGONPeaceGrrl]

King Cobras are my ultimate faavorites of all species of snakes!! Because I extremely love snakes!!

a few questions...one, why won't he blink even once? two, where is it hood? cause most King Cobras i seen have small hoods... and three...would you lose at a staring contest with this snake? :)

[ZooVisitorMM]

@DRAGONPeaceGrrl Snakes always seem to be staring because they don't have eyelids, therefore they can't blink. Cobras usually only show their hoods when they are trying to intimidate other creatures, or when a snake charmer has them under a spell! And, yes, I guess we would all lose a staring contest with any snake. (Although, the snakes could be cheating because they could actually be sleeping while their eyes are open, so that should not count.)

[mechan9]

That is supremely cool. Most of the nature programs on TV show them defensive with a flared hood but this one here is just kicking back and checking you out :D

[conchwanab1]

Great video!!

[ZooVisitorMM]

@conchwanab1 Thanks!

[MrMrfazle]

he looks scary

[ZooVisitorMM]

@MrMrfazle  There would be no reason to be scared of this snake unless you did something to scare it!

[DORUKOZKAN]

lol hes so cute for a king cobra hahah

[ZooVisitorMM]

@DORUKOZKAN I think all snakes are either beautiful or cute!

[DORUKOZKAN]

@ZooVisitorMM yeah too bad you cant touch em or love em like you want...

[ZooVisitorMM]

@DORUKOZKAN Some people can, actually. Have you seen the YouTube channel created by 1softkiss

(I can't post the URL in a comment, but her YouTube user name is 1softkiss)

[cuteandcoolpups]

Snakes are beautiful creatures on earth and the only reason people are afraid of them is cause they defend them selves

[ZooVisitorMM]

@cuteandcoolpups Thanks for your input. I agree.

[WhiteWolfWinter]

I have a strong urge to kiss a king cobra.

[ZooVisitorMM]

@WhiteWolfWinter That was exactly the response I was hoping for when I recorded and uploaded this video. So many people hate snakes or are afraid of them, but I think they are wonderful. (We probably shouldn't try to kiss ones like this, though.)

[ladybloodrose]

Hey I wanted to let you know, the woman who was bitten was recently arrested - turns out the cobra actauly belonged to her that bit her - she faked the whole "found it" bit. Police found a neotropical rattlesnake at her home to when they were investigating. Both of which are illegal in the state for her to keep. She lied to try an keep outa trouble.

Unfortunately she just added anouther nail to the coffin.

[ZooVisitorMM]

Thank you for this information. It seemed that everyone was suspicious of her story from the beginning.

The part that is true and good about this story, though, is the quick and efficient response by the Philadelphia Zoo staff. Otherwise, someone else might have been adding literal nails to a literal coffin for her!

[ladybloodrose]

yea no joke she was verry lucky. Though the report did state that the confiscated animals were in verry good shape an their cages were well cept. Its kinda sad though even though she was taking excillent care of the animals that this happened an she was keeping illegaly. Course with all the bans they are making now a days wont be long till nearly all of us will be doin the same :(

[ZooVisitorMM]

I hope it never comes to that for you or any of your friends who take such wonderful care of your snakes.

There really needs to be a provision to separate the responsible people from the irresponisble ones, and only ban the irresponsible ones from continuing.

It seems to me that anyone who has had snakes for many years, taken very good care of them, and whose snakes have never escaped, or ever been let loose in the wild, should be allowed to continue as usual in all ways.

[ladybloodrose]

unfortunately fear an ignorance play a large part in the bans an what not now a days :( so its everyone who has to suffer :(

[wannatouchmyballsDKz]

Thats a close up you don't see everyday!! Thats freakin' amazing..! 10*****

[ZooVisitorMM]

Thanks!

[1softkiss]

WOW!!!!! 5 million stars on this one. The Cobras are my favorites of all snakes and you got great shots of this one. Made my day!!! They are just SO alert and in tune with everything that goes on around them. Amazing creatures!!!!

[ZooVisitorMM]

Cobras really are fascinating, and this one is especially beautiful and alert.

Of course, it has wonderful care, too!

[claddaghrose]

Amazing video! I got a little scared watching it :)

[ZooVisitorMM]

That's why in cases like this, I don't mind having to record through glass!

[ladybloodrose]

love how you made the king there currious btw haha :) gotta love these animals. watching his pupil dialation hes so currious bout what your doing with that big ole eye (the camera) staring down at him, probly wondering hmmm can i eat this? verry nice shots glad you were able to get them :)

[ladybloodrose]

i read about that story but there just alot about it that don't realy add up (meaning the woman who was bitten) shes lucky but its just a fishy story espiclay with all the sudden bad publicity that the herp hobby is gettin lately. its just to convient .

[ZooVisitorMM]

I was initially worried about this incident affecting people's attitudes toward your hobby, but I hadn't thought about the possibility you mention here. I certainly hope that doesn't turn out to be the case.

One thing I know, though, is that the Philadelphia Zoo staff was wonderful, to respond so quickly and efficiently to the emergency call and to save the woman's life.

[ladybloodrose]

unfortunately there have been many cases staged here recently espiclay with all the proposed bans like s373 an what not. PETA, HSUS an several other orginations are out to end this hoby.

its just horrible what their doing.

. My best friend was rescently taged by one of his EDB an the 1st hospital nearly killed him he made it to agood hospital after the 1st one released him prematurely. He had Ray Hunter (the cobra man) in touch with his docs an what not so he was realy lucky.

[ladybloodrose]

its a good thing that the zoo responded to helping her out. shes verry lucky if a bits tupid for mistaking a cobra for a stick in a parking lot of a shoping center of all things.

[TomChair]

Very cool! When he turns suddenly to look at you! Nice shot! Love the focus of your camera! Very intent looking reptile, with the strong eyebrow.