300 REPTILES OF THE WORLD 



King Cobra is the most intelligent. Its certain, snappy- 

 actions indicate good reasoning powers. A slight vibra- 

 tion at the door of the cage will bring a specimen rush- 

 ing to the opening, where it searches about, inserting its 

 tongue along the frame in a search for food. Wild 

 King Cobras have a diabolical temper, coupled with a 

 dangerous degree of intelligence. Their movements ap- 

 pear well-premeditated — not so hysterically nervous as 

 the smaller cobras. Moreover, the King Cobra becomes 

 fairly tame as a captive, but can never be trusted, as its 

 touchy nature flames into anger upon slight provocation 

 and the fearlessness of the snake prompts it to actually 

 attack one. This has several times happened to the 

 writer. 



As an illustration of the intelligence of the King 

 Cobra it might be explained that the specimens in the 

 Zoological Park, prior to their feeding time, come to 

 the door of their cages, where they assume the graceful 

 cobra position — head and neck upraised to the level of 

 the small glass window in the door, when they follow 

 intently, with turning head, the movements of the keep- 

 ers in the passage behind the cages. Among snakes 

 such actions are unusual. They appeal more to the 

 mental faculties seen among mammals. In a number 

 of other instances the writer has witnessed the unusual 

 intelligence of the King Cobra. Its apparent sagacity, 

 large size, the possession of stout fangs and probably 

 the most virulent poison of all snakes, well merits the 

 popular title, though that actually comes from its feed- 

 ing habits, herewith described. 



It has been alleged that the King Cobra, while strictly 

 cannibalistic, feeds but seldom upon the long-fanged, 

 poisonous snakes, evidently having an instinctive dread 

 of the deep wounds liable to be inflicted by such, reptiles. 



