Work

Novel Natural History Observations on the Reproductive Biology of King Cobra ( Ophiophagus hannah ) From Yunnan Province, China

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT Although the King Cobra ( Ophiophagus hannah ) has received considerable conservation attention, little is known about its reproductive biology across its range. Here, we report three cases of nesting behavior in Yunnan Province, China, which represent the first documented nesting and clutch size of O. hannah in China outside of the Xizang Autonomous Region. Our observations confirmed multi‐individual participation in nest guarding, a behavior associated with an exceptionally large clutch size. We discuss possible explanations for the observed high clutch size and call for future studies on the reproductive biology of this flagship snake species.

Source: Integrative Conservation

DOI: 10.1002/inc3.70052

Authors: Kai Wang, Hao‐Nan Mu, Zhuo‐Yu Lu, Wen‐Jie Dong, Han Wan, Chen‐Qi Lu, Sheng‐Jing Xu, Wen Lu, Jing Che

Institutions: Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Southwest Forestry University

Language: English

Topic: Amphibian and Reptile Biology

Subfield: Global and Planetary Change

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid:

Funder: Chinese Academy of Sciences