Areas with a leaf litter depth of 10–17cm. were
preferred sites for nest construction. The King Cobras
moved across habitats such as primary evergreen
forests, Areca Palm plantations and rice paddy fields
as well as encroaching into human habitations.
We also studied the effect of snake translocation, with
one King Cobra being translocated a distance of
approximately 40km. and released. Its home range
was compared with two snakes that were not
translocated. In six months, the translocated snake
travelled a total distance of 83km. while the non-
translocated ones moved about 30-45km. each,
indicating that long-distance translocation is stressful
for these animals.
During this study, we have made a number of
observations concerning the diet of King Cobras,
including documenting instances of cannibalism. The
species typically consumes Indian Rat Snakes and
Spectacled Cobras, but will also take Malabar Pit
Vipers and occasionally a monitor lizard. In the
breeding season (April-June), a female snake
generally attracts several males which engage in
combat. Sometimes this may occur on a main road or
inside someone’s courtyard. We pitch tents and
observe the process, quantifying combat duration,
frequency, etc. Once the female begins to make a nest,
we monitor relative humidity and temperature, and
record nest dimensions and duration until hatching.
While the ongoing telemetry study helps to gain
considerable knowledge on the ecology and
behaviour of the species, it also provides ample
opportunity to communicate with communities
living in the region and conduct awareness
programmes on a regular basis while following
the snake through the human-dominated
agricultural landscape.
2. Mitigating conflict between man and
venomous snakes.
1.
India is home to an amazing diversity of fauna
and the people are renowned for their
tolerance to wildlife. In and around Agumbe,
snakes regularly enter human habitations,
2.