Elapidae · Philippine record
Ophiophagus bungarusSCHLEGEL 1837
The 2024 revision describes large adults as generally unbanded, sometimes retaining narrow pale bands without dark borders. This differs from the adult band pattern used to diagnose some other king-cobra species. Its atlas account links 2 named island or island-group records to the source literature.
Literature updated 2026-10-07 · Editorial review pending
Explore the island records ↓Species portrait
Ophiophagus bungarus
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Adult · study plate
Ophiophagus bungarus
Image to followJuvenile · study plate
Ophiophagus bungarus
Image to followLife stages will be labelled from the contributor’s information. Images alone do not establish identification or a locality record.
Media provenance
Contributor images are forthcoming. Photographs and illustrations will retain their individual credits, permissions and evidence notes.
A closer look
The 2024 revision describes large adults as generally unbanded, sometimes retaining narrow pale bands without dark borders. This differs from the adult band pattern used to diagnose some other king-cobra species.
Literature documented · Diagnosis; Das et al. (2024)
Species-level database summary; literature review, not expert validation.
The cited account does not establish population-wide variation or the conditions at every Philippine locality.
The atlas records Ophiophagus bungarus from these named Philippine areas: Mindoro, Palawan. These are literature areas rather than a continuous range boundary.
Literature documented · Existing checklist occurrence statement and distribution review
The original evidence level is retained.
A country listing cannot establish an island or a precise locality.
Ophiophagus bungarus is retained in the atlas’s dated checklist under Elapidae. The authority is SCHLEGEL 1837. Earlier names and the original source notes are preserved below for comparison.
Literature documented · Checklist identity and nomenclatural trail
Checklist verified 2026-09-05; not a newly revised taxonomic backbone.
Historical names can cover different biological concepts; synonyms should not be used to transfer records automatically.
Across the archipelago
Documented islands: gold · island groups: dashed circles
Island-level records · not continuous habitat coverage. Dashed circles locate groups, not individual observations.
Philippine distribution
Select an island to read its distribution record and sources. Uncoloured islands are not evidence of absence.
Indonesia (Java Barat), S Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia (Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Bali, and intervening islands), Philippines (Palawan, Mindoro) Type locality: Java, Java Barat Province, Tjihao or Cihoe or Tji Hoe; 6.43° S, 107.13° E.
The atlas records Ophiophagus bungarus from these named Philippine areas: Mindoro, Palawan. These are literature areas rather than a continuous range boundary.
The Reptile Database — species checklist, 17 June 2026 ↗Existing checklist occurrence statement and distribution review
References attached to this species account. Island-specific evidence is shown separately where available.
The Reptile Database — species checklist, 17 June 2026 ↗
Ophiophagus bungarus — The Reptile Database species account ↗
Living with wildlife
Venom classification not yet added · Effects not yet summarised in this atlas
Observe from a distance. Do not handle, corner or capture a snake to identify it. An incomplete venom account is not evidence that a species is safe to handle.
After a suspected snakebite, keep the person still and arrange urgent medical care. Avoid tight tourniquets, cutting, suction and unproven remedies. Do not wait to identify the snake before seeking help.
WHO guidance on snakebite first aidSpecies record
Range noteCountry/island text is not a range polygon or locality record.
Indonesia (Java Barat), S Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia (Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Bali, and intervening islands), Philippines (Palawan, Mindoro) Type locality: Java, Java Barat Province, Tjihao or Cihoe or Tji Hoe; 6.43° S, 107.13° E.
Names through time
Naja bungaroides BOIE 1828: 250 (nom. nud.) Naja bungarus SCHLEGEL 1837 Dendraspis bungarus FITZINGER 1843 Naja ingens VAN HASSELT 1882 Naia bungarus — WALL 1908: 331 Naia bungarus — WALL 1908: 33 Ophiophagus bungarus — DAS et al. 2024: 19
Uetz, P.; Freed, P.; Aguilar, R.; Reyes, F.; Kudera, J.; Hošek, J. (eds.)
Uetz, P.; Hallermann, J. et al. (editors)
Public species fields consulted for bounded biological summaries. Primary sources quoted within the database were not independently examined unless explicitly stated. The catalogue name may differ from the current source title.