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Giant King Cobra Clutch Found in China Stuns Scientists
22 Aug
Summary
- Three king cobra nests were discovered in Yunnan, China, between 2020 and 2025.
- One nest held an unusually large clutch of 72 eggs, twice the typical size.
- These findings represent China's first king cobra nesting records outside Xizang.
In Yunnan Province, China, the discovery of three king cobra nests between 2020 and 2025 has provided scientists with rare insights into the snake's nesting and reproductive biology. The first nest, found on July 10, 2020, in Menghai County, contained 30 eggs and was guarded by an adult king cobra. This marked the first documented nesting record in China outside the Xizang Autonomous Region.
A second, remarkable discovery occurred on June 6, 2024, west of Kunming. Residents found a nest attended by two king cobras. This nest yielded an unprecedented clutch of 72 eggs, significantly larger than the typical 14-37 eggs previously recorded. Scientists are considering if one female laid an exceptionally large clutch or if two females nested together, a behavior previously uncertain.
The third nest was located in Lancang County on June 17, 2025, containing 25 eggs. This nest also provided the first direct observation of juvenile king cobras emerging, confirming successful hatching. These findings collectively highlight the variability in king cobra clutch sizes and nesting behavior, filling crucial geographical gaps in research on this vulnerable species.
