Video: 15-foot King Cobra caught from car

Indian Forest Service officer and wildlife enthusiast has posted a fascinating video showing a 15-foot-long King Cobra being caught from under a car by a snake expert and then being released in the forest.

With the unseasonal rains the snake appears to have moved out of his natural habitat due to flooding. This normally happens during the monsoon.

“King Cobra’s are vital in the food chain for maintaining balance in nature. Here is one nearly 15 feet long rescued & released in the wild. Entire operation is by trained snake catchers. Please don’t try on your own. With onset of rains, they can be found in all odd places,” Nanda wrote as caption.

The king cobra is a highly poisonous snake. Its colour varies across habitats, from black with white stripes to unbroken brownish grey.

Despite its fearsome reputation, it avoids confrontation with humans whenever possible. Altercations usually arise only from a cobra inadvertently exposing itself or being chased; if, however, provoked or cornered, it is capable of striking long in range and high in position. Bites from this species could involve a large quantity of medically significant neurotoxic venom which may lead to a rapid fatality unless antivenom is administered in time.

Threatened by habitat destruction, the king cobra has been listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List since 2010. Regarded as the national reptile of India, it has an eminent position in the mythology and folk traditions of India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Myanmar.