Keri: A king cobra found in the forests of the Western Ghats in Goa has been recently confirmed as belonging to one of the newly identified species of the venomous snake. New findings of the team of researchers under P Gowri Shankar have identified the new species, Ophiophagus Kaalinga sp.nov., as being endemic to the Southern Western Ghats, spanning Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and Goa, and the border areas of Maharashtra.
Studies published in 2024 indicate the presence of four species of king cobra rather than one. In addition to Ophiophagus Hannah, referred to as the northern king cobra, researchers have described unda king cobra (O. bungarus), the Western Ghats king cobra (O. Kaalinga), and the Luzon king cobra (O. Salvatana).
Amrit Singh, a wildlifer from Bicholim, said, “It is indeed happy news that the research has indicated that the king cobra found in the Southern Western Ghats forests, including in Goa, constitutes a new species.”
The new findings will help protect the natural habitat of the king cobra, which has been threatened in Goa’s Western Ghats, where large swaths in ecologically rich areas are covered by cashew plantations. In Goa, over the past two decades there has been an increase in conflicts between humans and king cobras.
Ramesh Zarmekar, who is involved in rescuing king cobras, said, “The Western Ghats king cobra species is considered exceptionally large, growing to more than 10 feet.”
He added, “With its blackish brown body, numerous pale bands, and lighter creamy yellow belly, this species always attracts the attention inside the evergreen forest.”
Zarmekar went on to say, “I still remember when Romulus Whitaker, the well-known wildlife conservationist of India, was fascinated to see the majestic king cobra quenching its thirst at a water hole inside the Tambdi Surla forest.”
In Karnataka, this snake is known as Kaalinga, whereas in Goan folklore, it is popular as the Bhujang, and forest dwellers always respect and protect its natural habitat.
The king mainly hunts other snakes, including its own kind. In Goa king cobras have been repeatedly rescued mostly from cashew plantations, bordering the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary.