National Geographic Explorer (Student Magazine)

Background: At twelve feet long, the king cobra is the longest of all poisonous snakes. For centuries, people have respected and feared this royal reptile. Now you can meet one up close—from the safety of your computer, of course.

Directions: Print out this page (or get a copy from your teacher). Then slither online to meet our life-size king cobra. Click each section of the snake's body to learn its royal secrets. Then decide whether each sentence below is true or false.

Web Address: www.nationalgeographic.com/kingcobra

1. A king cobra's fang is less than an inch long.

2. Cobras and other snakes use their tongues to help them hear.

3. When threatened, a king cobra can stand three to six feet tall.

4. Smaller snakes are king cobras' main food source.

5. Snake charmers hypnotize cobras by playing music.

6. King cobras spend all their time on the ground.

7. King cobras often attack humans.

8. The skin of a king cobra is slimy.

9. Army ants sometimes eat young cobras.

10. The king cobra is the only snake that builds a nest for its eggs.

Teachers and students may make copies of this page to complete as a classroom assignment.