The Mystical King Cobra and Coffee Forests
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MOLTING: The King Cobra usually gets rid of their old skins 5 to 6 times a year.
BREEDING HABITS: The only snake that builds a 2-foot high nest of twigs, leaves and other vegetation to lay eggs (20 - 40) that hatch around 110 days. The eggs are incubated at a steady temperature of 28 degree centigrade. The nest comprises a lower chamber for the eggs, which is covered over with leaf-litter, and an upper chamber on top, in which the female resides, guarding the eggs from predators and trampling. Such a complex nest is unique among snakes, and is considered to be a sign that the king cobra may be one of the most intelligent snake species.
The female king cobra is a very dedicated parent. When the eggs start to hatch, instinct causes the female to leave the nest and find prey to eat so that she does not eat her young. The researchers say they have seen most king cobras out in the morning after the sun rises and the outside temperature is slightly warmer. "Some snakes like the krait are known to be nocturnal but king cobras forage during the day and are mostly in the burrow at night. The male and female cobras take turns guarding the nest and hunting. Baby cobras, or hatchlings, are about 19.7 inches (50cm) at birth and are brightly marked.
SEXES: Male King Cobras are larger than female King Cobras unlike most other snakes that have females that are larger than the males. King Cobra offspring weight does not vary between sexes.
FOOD: Most terrestrial snakes are not known to hunt in water. The ARS has recorded for the first time that king cobras also hunt in water, like streams and ponds where they have chased prey. Scientists have recorded for the first time a king cobra holding another snake under water to drown the other snake. These snakes typically eat other snakes that are both venomous and non venomous. Prey is swallowed whole, headfirst. King Cobras have slow metabolisms and can live off a large meal for months.
FANGS: King cobras have short fangs and powerful venom, but they rarely attack humans.
ANTIVENOM: There are two types of anti venom made specifically to treat king cobra envenomations. The Red Cross in Thailand manufactures one, and the Central Research Institute in India manufactures the other; however, both are made in small quantities and are not widely available.
CONCLUSION: The overall status of the Planet's ecosystem is threatened by changing environment, especially due to human influence and this damage has been so extensive within the last 25 years. So many species of our unique wildlife are fast disappearing to various factors out of which most of them relate to the activities of man.
Many species are at the risk of becoming extinct due to the accelerated rate of deforestation and habitat destruction. World over, wildlife population has declined at an alarming rate. There are almost a third fewer animal, bird and aquatic species than three decades ago. The decline comes at a time when humans are consuming far significant amounts of natural resources and are now using 25% more than the planet can regenerate. Human disturbances are putting constant pressure on ecosystems and dramatically impacting species.
As the new year dawns, we need to embrace nature with a new found vigor and change our attitude towards nature. All that we ask of you is to be guardians of wildlife. In short, protection of the Earths biological riches should be the business of every citizen. One way of going about it, is the way we buy or choose a product which is environment friendly and which will last a long time.
REFERENCES:
ineedcoffee.com/by/dr._anand_titus_and_geeta_n._pereira/
Coffee Forests and the Dancing Spectacled Cobra
Human Snake Conflict Inside Coffee Forests
Snake Diversity and Conservation Inside Coffee Forests
Coffee Forests - A Gateway To Wildlife
The Impact of Climate Change on Coffee
Global Warming in Coffee Plantations
Coffee Hotspots - An Inventory of Biodiversity
The Lord of the Jungle...King Cobra
Studying snake venom for medical cures
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Published: January 2013
