Philippine Cobra

Native to the northern Philippines, this stocky elapid is found on islands such as Luzon, Masbate, Mindoro, and Catanduanes. The Philippine Cobra reaches an average length of 1.0 metre, though some individuals may grow to 1.6 metres. Adults are typically a uniform light to medium brown, while younger snakes appear darker. When the snake feels threatened, it expands long ribs in its neck to create a hood. Travellers should be cautious, as females can accurately spray venom at targets up to 3 metres away.

These snakes thrive in various environments, from dense jungles and forested regions to open grasslands and low-lying plains. Because they are fond of water, they frequently stay near rivers, ponds, or large puddles. They also inhabit human settlements and agricultural fields where their preferred prey is common. Their diet consists mostly of small mammals like rats and mice, but they also consume frogs, eggs, small birds, and other snakes.

Survival in the wild involves avoiding predators such as the mongoose, king cobra, and birds of prey. Humans also pose a threat to them. Even their prey can be dangerous; large rats sometimes fight back against a bite, causing injuries to the snake's snout or eyes that lead to blindness or fatal infections. The venom of this species is a powerful neurotoxin that can cause respiratory failure in humans, often with very little swelling at the site of the bite.