P Gowri Shankar leads study identifying 4 king cobra species
Technology
Turns out, king cobras aren't just one type of snake: they're actually four separate species.
A team led by herpetologist P Gowri Shankar used genetic tests and scale patterns to figure this out, showing these snakes have been evolving on their own paths across Asia.
Recognizing king cobra species guides conservation
Knowing there are four distinct king cobra species (spread across India, Southeast Asia, the Malay Peninsula, and the Philippines) means conservation efforts can be more focused.
Some of these snakes live only in small areas and face threats like habitat loss and poaching.
Recognizing their differences helps protect each unique population better.