Philadelphia Zoo King Cobra (Read the description please!)

I rarely see the king cobra moving. Often it is also hidden behind branches or leaves so I can't even see it at all, but on this day, I was in the right place at the right time.

Also in a different right place at the right time was Jason Bell, Assistant Curator of Reptiles and Amphibians, who was at home watching football on a Sunday night when he received a phone call seeking his help.

Hopefully by now everyone has heard the story of how the Philadelphia Zoo staff helped to save the life of the Baltimore woman who was bitten by a monocled cobra on January 24, 2010. The quick, efficient response to the emergency call by the Zoo staff that ultimately led to saving the woman's life is just more evidence of what I have been saying all along: The Philadelphia Zoo has wonderful keepers, curators, and animal-care experts!

The response to this call for help is definitely one more reason to love the Philadelphia Zoo!

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• Philadelphia Zoo
• zoos
• Jason Bell
• Reptile and Amphibian House
• December
• 2009
• winter
• king cobra
• Sunday

[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

[ZooVisitorMM]

@conchwanab1  Thanks!

[conchwanab1]

Great video!!