Question

Which snake builds a nest?

Answer 1

Hint: Snakes build nests primarily to keep the eggs safe. The snake that builds nests is also known as the hamadryad, is a venomous snake species in the family Elapidae, endemic to forests from India through Southeast Asia.

Complete answer: King cobras are the only snakes known to build and guard their nests. Cobras reproduce by laying eggs. Females typically lay 20 to 40 eggs at a time, which incubate between 60 and 80 days. The female gathers leaf litter (from a radius of 3-5m) in tight coils and slowly but steadily deposits them together. The female cobra repeatedly moves into it to tighten and pack the leaves firmly. Once the nest is around 30cm tall and 3feet wide she moves in to lay her eggs. After laying eggs, the female then comes out and continues to build till the nest is about 4 feet tall. Cobras will stay near the eggs and defend them until they hatch. The King Cobra will make a nest of leaves for clutch, latter that cover with leaves and lay on top to incubate. Some cobras lay their eggs in ground holes or under a natural cover, such as a rock.

Note: The king cobra's venom consists of cytotoxins and neurotoxins, including alpha-neurotoxins and three-finger toxins. Other components have cardiotoxic effects. The toxins affect the victim's central nervous system, resulting in severe pain, blurred vision, vertigo, drowsiness, and eventually paralysis. If the envenomation is serious, it progresses to cardiovascular collapse, and the victim falls into a coma. Death soon follows due to respiratory failure.