SPELUNKING WITH BANAKON (IN OKBOT CAVE)

According to some Kapalong locals, some caves near Okbot are haven of the feared King Cobra, locally known as BANAKON. The tower boys are planning to invade their nest on their next planned spelunking sometime in August. This trip will prove or disprove their theory that BANAKONS are harmless when not threatened and would  only bite those who make eye to eye contact with them. 

"AYAW GYUD LINGI KUNG SITSITAN KA SA BANAKON. BAHALA NA KUNG GUKURON KA NIYA, AYAW GYUD LINGI KAY MASUKO NI KUNG TUTUKAN. sssssssshhhhh...

MAO NANG UBAN, MAPAAKAN KAY MULINGI MAN."

 

SCIENTIFIC NAME: ophiophagus hannah  

TYPE: Reptile   DIET: CArnivore

AVERAGE SPAN IN THE WILD: 20 years 

SIZE: 13 ft (4 meters) WEIGHT: Up to 20lbs (9kg)

Did you know that  synthetic cobra venom is used in pain relievers and arthritis medication?

Size relative to a  6 ft (2m) man: It seems unfairly menacing that a snake that can literally "stand up" and look a ful-grown person in the eye would also be among the most venomous on the planet. that is the king cobra.

King cobras can reach 18 feet (5.5meters) in length, making them the longest of all venomous snales. When confronted, they can raise up to one-third of their bodies straight off the ground and still move forwards to attack. They will also flare our their iconic hoods and emit a bone-chilling hiss that sounds almost like a growling dog.

Their venom is not the most potent among venomous snakes but the amount of neurotoxin they can deliver in a single bite - up to two tenths of a fluid ounce (seven milliliters) is enough to kill 20 people, or even an elephant. Fortunately, king cobras are shy and will avoid humans whenever possible, but they are fiercely aggressive when cornered.

 They are the only snakes in the world that build nests for their eggs, which they guard ferociously until the hatching emerge.

King Cobras may be known as the species of choice for the snakes charmers of South Asia.Although cobras can hear, they are actually deaf to ambient noises, sensing ground vibrations instead.  (national geographic)