King Cobra vs Gaboon Viper: Know Their Key Differences On The Basis Of Size, Venom, Diet And More

 Here’s a crisp comparison of King Cobra vs Gaboon Viper, covering their major differences in size, venom, diet, habitat, and behavior:

---

🐍 King Cobra vs Gaboon Viper: Key Differences

1. Size

• King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah):

  • The world’s longest venomous snake.

  • Can reach up to 18 feet (5.5 m) in length.

  • Slim, agile body built for speed and range.

• Gaboon Viper (Bitis gabonica):

  • Not as long but extremely heavy and thick-bodied.

  • Average length 4–7 feet (1.2–2.1 m), with a record of around 7 feet.

  • Known as the heaviest viper in the world.

---

2. Venom

• King Cobra:

  • Neurotoxic venom that affects the nervous system, leading to paralysis and respiratory failure.

  • Can inject large quantities (up to 7 ml in one bite).

  • Despite being less toxic drop-for-drop than many vipers, the sheer volume makes it lethal to an elephant in some cases.

• Gaboon Viper:

  • Venom is cytotoxic and hemotoxic, causing tissue destruction, swelling, and internal bleeding.

  • Fangs are the longest of any snake (up to 2 inches / 5 cm).

  • Venom yield is among the highest of any snake, but they are usually slow and reluctant to bite unless provoked.

---

3. Diet

• King Cobra:

  • True to its name, primarily eats other snakes (ophiophagous).

  • Occasionally eats lizards, birds, and rodents.

• Gaboon Viper:

  • Ambush predator feeding mainly on small to medium mammals, birds, and sometimes amphibians.

  • Uses camouflage to wait silently before striking with extreme speed.

---

4. Habitat & Range

• King Cobra:

  • Found in South and Southeast Asia (India, China, Indonesia, Philippines).

  • Prefers forests, bamboo thickets, mangroves, and near water sources.

• Gaboon Viper:

  • Native to Central and parts of West Africa.

  • Prefers rainforests, woodlands, and savannah grasslands.

---

5. Behavior

• King Cobra:

  • Highly intelligent, can “stand” upright and spread its hood.

  • Known to be more aggressive when threatened.

  • Builds nests for its eggs—unique among snakes.

• Gaboon Viper:

  • Extremely well-camouflaged, relying on stealth.

  • Very calm, slow-moving, and rarely aggressive.

  • When it does strike, it’s one of the fastest ambush strikes in the snake world.

---

⚔️ Who is deadlier?

• King Cobra: Deadly because of the massive venom yield, size, and tendency to stand its ground.

• Gaboon Viper: Deadly because of fang length, venom yield, and devastating tissue damage—but far less likely to attack humans.

👉 In short:

• King Cobra = longest, smartest, neurotoxic threat.

• Gaboon Viper = heaviest, longest fangs, cytotoxic powerhouse.