What is the scientific name of the king cobra, the world’s longest venomous snake?

The scientific name of the king cobra is Ophiophagus hannah.

The genus name Ophiophagus means “snake-eater,” referring to the king cobra’s frequent habit of hunting other snakes. The species name hannah is used in its binomial classification, which places the animal in the family Elapidae alongside cobras, mambas, and coral snakes.

King cobras are native to forests and other habitats across South and Southeast Asia. Despite its name and cobra-like hood, the king cobra is not a true cobra in the genus Naja. It is the only living member of the genus Ophiophagus, a distinction that helps prevent confusion with species such as the Indian cobra.

Adults can reach exceptional lengths, and the species is known for building a nest for its eggs—an unusual behavior among snakes.