17/10/2024
Breaking news! 2 new species of King Cobras found in the Philippines have been described, Ophiophagus salvatana (endemic, found in Luzon) and Ophiophagus bungarus (native, found in Palawan, Visayas and Mindanao). Some were probably thought back then as Ophiophagus hannah (King Cobras found in other neighbouring Asian countries). These identifications are very important for the further study of the snakes, its distribution here on the Philippines, for the production of anti-venom, etc.
BREAKING NEWS!! NEW KING COBRA SPECIES!
Say hello to O. salvatana & O. bungarus and goodbye to O. hannah!
The Philippines now has 2 species of King Cobras - The Ophiophagus salvatana and Ophiophagus bungarus, according to the latest study by Shankar, Das & Wüster, 2024
With that, Let me take this moment to talk about our research, the King Cobra Initiative Philippines, which is aims to conserve King Cobras in the Philippines through science, education and citizen-science. Now that we have 2 species, it is all the more important to conserve them!!
With your help in reporting these sightings, we can identify communities at higher risk of human-cobra encounters. This data-driven approach also helps understand the king cobra's habitat needs and behavior, enabling more effective conservation strategies while fostering community involvement in protecting these vulnerable species.
You can be a part of this project by reporting sightings of King Cobras AND other cobra species found in the Philippines through the form tinyurl.com/reportacobra
Please follow the page King Cobra Initiative Philippines for more!
As well as our friends doing king cobra research in other parts of the globe!🌎
Agumbe Rainforest Research Station
Save The Lives
Save The Snakes
King Cobra Conservancy
In photo: Ophiophagus bungarus (italicized) taken in Puerto Princesa, Palawan Philippines.
Paper link: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/view/2681