On 6 May, two young adult King Cobras (Ophiophagus hannah) were spotted by our Chairperson, Mr Andrew McAulay, on the Kwun Yum Shan hillside.

In this rare opportunity he was able to watch what was most likely male cobras playing out a courtship and dominance dance. These two males are believed to be competing to demonstrate their strength and dominance and eventually one male will tire and the dominant male will, we think, start courtship with a nearby female King Cobra. The dance can be quite aggressive but the idea is not to harm the other snake so there is a lot of pushing and entwining to show strength and climbing to demonstrate size!

▲ Click the image above to watch the video

Similar dances between two snakes have been seen on our hillside involving competing male rat snakes. In these dances the competition helps decide dominance for territory, and also takes place prior to mating.

This time of the year is the mating season for many snake species. Courtship by male and female King Cobras involves nudging and body rubbing, and this would follow soon after the competing male “dancing” display seen on the video. In courtship the male attempts to impress the female wrapping around her body to convince her that he is a suitable mate for breeding, but the two do not engage in an elaborate dance as seen on the video.

The King Cobra is the largest venomous snake species in the world and is rather uncommon in Hong Kong and is declining in numbers across most of its range. As a predator at the top of the food chain that feeds almost exclusively on other snakes, populations are significantly impacted by the health of the ecosystem within which it lives.   Contrary to popular belief, King Cobras do not actively attack humans. When they feel threatened, they usually perform threatening displays first, trying to warn off potential predators or enemies. Attack is the last resort when there is no other choice. This species makes nests with litter by piling the materials into a compact mass and the female will defend the nest fiercely if it is approached by a potential predator.

The Right Way to Meet Wild Snakes Outdoors:

• Stay Calm; keep yourself, children and pets away from the snake.
• Move away slowly and keep a safe distance (at least 2m) from the snake. If possible enjoy this encounter experience from a distance.
• Leave the snake alone, as it will usually try to escape to the nearest cover.

Some more information on what to do if you encounter a wild snake? What to do if you encounter a wild snake?