UPSC Prelims 2008·GS1·geography·ecology and environment

For which one of the following snakes is the diet mainly composed of other snakes?

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Last updated 23 May 2026, 3:31 pm IST
  1. AKrait
  2. BRussell’s viper
  3. CRattlesnake
  4. DKing cobraCorrect

Explanation

The correct answer is D because the King cobra is unique among snakes for its specialized diet. Its scientific name, Ophiophagus hannah, literally translates to snake eater in Greek. While other snakes may occasionally eat different species, the King cobras diet consists almost exclusively of other snakes, including venomous ones like cobras and kraits, as well as non-venomous snakes like rat snakes and pythons. When snakes are scarce, it may occasionally eat lizards, but it is primarily an ophiophagous predator.
geography: For which one of the following snakes is the diet mainly composed of other snakes?
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