King Cobra Discovered in Western Ghats Officially Named Ophiophagus Kaalinga.

Environment

Eshwar Khandre, Cabinet Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment, Government of Karnataka, officially named the king cobra found in the Western Ghats as 'Ophiophagus Kaalinga'.


      - The specific name "Kaalinga" derives from Kannada, meaning "dark," reflecting the snake's coloration and cultural significance in Karnataka.

      - It features a blackish-brown body adorned with pale bands and a lighter creamy yellow belly. It is recognized for its impressive size, often exceeding 10 feet in length.

     

Main Points:-   (i) This announcement was made following extensive research led by wildlife biologist P. Gowri Shankar and his team, which identified the distinct genetic lineage of this snake, previously classified under a single species.

      (ii) Alongside Ophiophagus Kaalinga, the other identified species include Ophiophagus hannah (the northern king cobra), Ophiophagus bungarus (the unda king cobra), and Ophiophagus salvatana (the Luzon king cobra).


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