RARE SIGHTING: Luzon King Cobra, found only in the Philippines, Spotted in La Trinidad, Benguet

La Trinidad, Benguet  - A juvenile Luzon king cobra, a rare and venomous snake species with the scientific name “Ophiophagus salvatana,” was spotted slithering through a garden in Barangay Bahong, La Trinidad, Benguet, recently.  

The rare sighting was captured on a video shared by Rubilyn Garoy Cutiam on her Facebook, who said it was taken by her brother-in-law’s companion while they were tending to their garden.  

The video showed the small black cobra with white angular bands from its head to its tail gliding over the twigs, dry leaves, and plastics on the ground. 

About the Juvenile Luzon King Cobra 

Based on gathered information,  this type of cobra can be found only in Luzon and nowhere else in the world. It can be easily identified by its white or yellow cross bands across its body. 

While dangerous when threatened, it is not that aggressive compared to the other species and usually avoids human interaction unless disturbed. 

Why might a juvenile have ended up in the garden in Bahong?

A juvenile Luzon King Cobra naturally lives in a quiet or undisturbed environment where it can prey on smaller snakes and amphibians. However, when its natural habitat is disturbed, they come out in search of food, shelter, or cooler ground. 

Experts say that in places where vegetation overlaps, like the garden in Bahong, it's not impossible for such snakes to appear, especially during hot weather or after heavy rains. This might be the reason why one of them ended up in said area.  

When a Luzon King Cobra is sighted, the public is advised to report it to concerned authorities for proper action. 

George Institute for Global Health advises not to kill them because, as predators, they help control populations of rodents, frogs, and other small animals, preventing potential imbalances in the food web.