This Venomous Snakes Identification Quiz Is Really Hard, So We'll Be Impressed if You Even Get 4 Right

By: Shayna
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
This Venomous Snakes Identification Quiz Is Really Hard, So We'll Be Impressed if You Even Get 4 Right
Image: Shutterstock

About This Quiz

Walking through the woods, jungle, swamps or desert? This quiz could save your life. Or at least keep you from panicking if you get bit by a look-alike venomous snake. It has been estimated that in the United States alone 7,000 to 8,000 people per year report bites from venomous snakes. Fortunately, with prompt medical care readily available in the U.S, only five of those people may die. However, if you’re on the road less traveled and hiking through the Andean region of South America, Southeast Asia or sub-Saharan Africa, you’ll want to memorize this quiz. Take it now and find out if you’re better than 50 out of 55 people who can’t identify these venomous snakes. 

There is a morbid fascination many of us have with assassin snakes. Did you see the movie, “Snakes on a Plane” with Samuel L. Jackson? Or the dozens of other killer-snake movies such as “Tremors," “Slither" or “Anaconda”? One creepy, crawly venomous snake is all you need to keep awake at night. But if you’re a herpetologist or a snake enthusiast, you may outshine the others by sssssscoring high on this Snake Trivia Quiz. Find out. Take it now!



Egyptian Cobra
WikiCommons
Identify this venomous snake.
Black Mamba
Egyptian Cobra
Malayan Krait
Gaboon Viper
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Egyptian Cobra, also referred to as Cleopatra's Asp, is rumored to have gotten its name after Cleopatra committed suicide with the venom of the Egyptian Cobra. She most likely chose this snake because it has unusually quick-acting, deadly venom.

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Western Green Mamba
WikiCommons
This snake has been identified as the _____________.
Cottonmouth
Western Green Mamba
Bothrops Jararaca
Fer-de-lance
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Western Green Mamba is native to West Africa. It lives in tropical and woody areas. The toxicity of its venom can vary tremendously, depending on where it lives and what it eats.

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Eastern Coral Snake
Shutterstock
Which of these snakes is seen in the picture?
Yellow-Bellied Sea Snake
Copperhead
Eastern Coral Snake
Water Snake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Infant Coral Snakes hatch from eggs laid by the female snake. Coral Snakes do not give birth to live young like many of the other North American venomous snakes. At birth, Coral Snakes are 7 inches long and are already at their full venomous potential.

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Mohave Rattlesnake
Shutter Stock
The snake in the image is called _____________.
Common European Viper
Cottonmouth
Eastern Green Mamba
Mojave Rattlesnake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Mojave Rattlesnake tends to be aggressive towards humans, especially if disturbed or harassed. Predators like the California Kingsnake and roadrunners are quick to kill and eat the Mojave Rattlesnake.

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Black Necked Spitting Cobra
Shutterstock
This unique snake is called ________.
Black-Necked Spitting Cobra
Calliophis Bivirgata
Cerastes Cerastes
Lachesis Muta
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Black-Necked Spitting Cobra doesn’t always have a black neck. Sometimes it can be pure copper or olive-brown, and sometimes it can have black and white stripes. It is a very adaptable snake that can thrive in different environments.

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King Cobra
Shutterstock
This snake is known as __________.
Tiger Snake
King Cobra
Inland Taipan
Many-Banded Krait
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The King Cobra is the longest venomous snake in the world, capable of reaching a length of 20 feet. It feeds almost exclusively on other snakes, though it is known to eat rodents and lizards as well.

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Yellowbelly Sea Snake
Wiki Commons
What is this hissing creature's name?
Yellow-bellied Sea Snake
Terciopelo
Malayan Krait
South American Bushmaster
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Found in the warm waters of the Pacific and Indian oceans, the Yellow-bellied Sea Snake consumes only fish. Females are much larger than males for this particular breed.

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Horned Viper
Shutterstock
This venomous snake's name is ______________.
Horned Viper
Mojave rattlesnake
Terciopelo
Eastern Brown Snake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Horned Vipers are ecologically important because they keep a number of rodents under control. They are a smaller snake variety, size maxing around 2 feet. Despite their small size, they can survive 14 to 18 years in the wild!

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Puff Adder
Shutterstock
This venomous snake is known as __________.
Puff Adder
Many-Banded Krait
Terciopelo
Dubois' Sea Snake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When disturbed, this snake will coil into a defensive S-shaped posture and hiss loudly, hence its common name, Puff Adder. This sound is a warning signal, which probably shouldn't be ignored.

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Caspian Cobra
WikiCommons
This snake is known as __________.
Tiger Snake
Death Adder
Caspian Cobra
Viper
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Caspian Cobras are generally aggressive and bad-tempered, starting from a young age. They are great climbers and swimmers, especially when going after their prey.

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Black Banded Sea Krait
Shutterstock
What is this snake called?
Indian Cobra
Rhinoceros Viper
Mojave Rattlesnake
Black-Banded Sea Krait
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Similar to land snakes, the Black-Banded Sea Krait has scales, a forked tongue, and lidless eyes—and it breathes air. Because it spends the majority of its time underwater, it differs from land snakes, however, having a short, flattened tail that propels it quickly when swimming.

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Banded Krait
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This snake is referred to as the _________.
Rhinoceros Viper
Rattlesnake
Red-Bellied Black Snake
Banded Krait
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Banded Krait is not known to bite during the daytime. During night, however, it can be very vicious. The venom from one bite is enough to kill two dozen fully grown men!

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Western Brown Snake
Shutterstock
What is the name of this snake?
Western Brown Snake
Bitis Arietans
Yellow-Bellied Sea Snake
Timber Rattlesnake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Western Brown Snakes that are kept in captivity can change the color of their skin depending on the season. Males are far more common in this variety.

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Eastern Green Mamba
WikiCommons
What is this snake's true name?
Coastal Taipan
Forest Cobra
Eastern Green Mamba
Terciopelo
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Juvenile Eastern Green Mambas are blueish-green. They attain their brighter green coloration in successive skin shedding, progressing from the front to the back of the body.

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Indian Krait
WikiCommons
Identify this venomous snake.
Yellow-bellied Sea Snake
Indian Krait
Easter Green Mamba
Dugite
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Indian Krait, or Common Krait, is India's most feared and most venomous snake. Attacks on humans have been widely reported, with a mortality rate of 7 percent. This makes the Indian Krait one of the "big four" species.

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Mojave Rattlesnake
Shutterstock
What is the name of this snake?
Hydrophis Belcheri
Fer-de-lance
Bothrops Jararaca
Mojave Rattlesnake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Mojave Rattlesnake has the most potent venom of any rattlesnake in North America. Its venom is about 16 times more toxic than that of the Sidewinder and surpasses even that of the Tiger Rattlesnake. It can be particularly aggressive to humans and is quick to defend itself if disturbed.

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Spectacled Cobra
WikiCommons
Which of these snakes is seen in the picture?
Caspian Cobra
Boomslang
Eastern Brown Snake
Spectacled Cobra
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Spectacled Cobras can live up to 20 years! They can be found anywhere with an excess of rats to feast on, so they can easily hunt their prey.

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Eastern Brown Snake
wiki commons
The correct name of this snake is __________.
Tiger Rattlesnake
King Cobra
Eastern Brown Snake
Common Krait
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Eastern Brown Snake produces venom known to cause diarrhea, dizziness, convulsions, renal failure, paralysis and cardiac arrest. If you don't receive medical treatment in time, bites can be fatal.

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Taiwanese Krait
WikiCommons
What is the name of this venomous animal?
Tiger Snake
Black Mamba
Taiwanese/Many-banded Krait
Mali Cobra
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Taiwanese/Many-banded Krait is a nocturnal snake, found throughout China and Southeast Asia. They tend to be defensive when it is dark; however, they are generally a timid and placid species. In the daytime, they hide under stones or in holes. Hibernation occurs November through April.

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Saw Scaled Viper
Shutterstock
What was this snake named?
Sindh Saw-Scaled Viper
Eastern Brown Snake
Forest Cobra
Black Desert Cobra
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Though small in size, the Sindh Saw-Scaled Viper is a dangerous snake with an aggressive temperament. It is distinguished by a prominent, dark brown, arrow-shaped marking on the head and is covered in small, heavily keeled scales. It lives in hot, dry regions in sandy, rocky or gravel habitats with sparse and scrubby vegetation.

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Tiger Rattlesnake
Shutterstock
What is the correct name of this snake?
Chinese Cobra
Malayan Krait
Tiger Rattlesnake
Common Death Adder
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The intriguing look of a Tiger Rattlesnake comes from colors varying from bluish-gray to lavender, or even buff-colored. Their sides and underbelly can be orange, pink or cream in color.

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Olive Brown Sea Snake
WikiCommons
What is this snake's true name?
Western Diamondback
Copperhead
Olive Brown Sea Snake
Horned Viper
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Olive Brown Sea Snake looks like a big worm, with its head blending into its body. Its skin is smooth, hence its scientific name, laevis, which is derived from the Latin word for "smooth."

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Mozambique spitting cobra
WikiCommons
What is the name of the snake in the picture?
King Cobra
Inland Taipan
Mozambique Spitting Cobra
Boomslang
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Mozambique Spitting Cobra has a fierce bite. Their venom is predominately cytotoxic, causing serious tissue damage. It also causes neurotoxic effects, like breathing issues or drowsiness.

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South American bushmaster
Shutterstock
This snake has been identified as the _____________.
Horned Viper
Copperhead
South American Bushmaster
Black Mamba
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The fierce South American Bushmaster can grow over 12 feet, making it the longest venomous snake in America. It is also the second-longest venomous snake in the world, after the King Cobra.

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Mexican West Coast Rattlesnake
WikiCommons
What is the name of the snake in the picture?
Death Adder
Tiger Snake
Philippine Cobra
Mexican West Coast Rattlesnake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Also known as the Mexican Green Rattler or the Mexican West Coast Green Rattlesnake, the Mexican West Coast Rattlesnake lives in treeless areas of Mexico and can be fairly easily tamed to live in zoos. It is born mostly red but can change color as an adult.

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Timber Rattlesnake
Shutterstock
This snake is called the ____________.
South American Bushmaster
Timber Rattlesnake
Jararaca
Indochinese Spitting Cobra
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Timber Rattlesnake does not lay eggs like other pit vipers. Their eggs are kept inside the female's body until they hatch.The average litter consists of between 5 to 20.

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Cottonmouth Snake
Shutterstock
What is this slithering snake called?
Pseudechis Australis
Trimeresurus stejnegeri
Micrurus fulvius
Cottonmouth Snake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Like all pit vipers, the Cottonmouth Snake has two heat sensing pits, located between the eyes and the nostrils. These pits allow the snake to pinpoint live prey and to strike without needing to physically see them. This hunting adaptation is particularly useful after dark, when most animals’ bodies are warmer than the air around them.

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clarence river snake
WikiCommons
Most people call this snake __________.
Cottonmouth
Clarence River Snake
Enhydrina Schistosa
Western Diamondback Rattlesnake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Clarence River Snake is found in isolated pockets of Coastal Queensland and Northern New South Wales. A diurnal snake, it is often seen during the day, feeding on frogs, small reptiles and mammals.

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Fea's Viper
WikiCommons
What is the correct name of this snake?
Micrurus Fulvius
Sistrurus Miliarius
Fea's Viper
Monocled Cobra
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Considered the most primitive of vipers, the Fea's Viper inhabits Myanmar, southeastern Tibet, southern China, and northern Vietnam. It has shorter fangs than those of other subfamilies and a somewhat flattened head.

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Mulga Snake
WikiCommons
What was this snake named?
Dugite
Chinese Cobra
Aipysurus Duboisii
Mulga Snake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Even though the Mulga Snake tolerates venom of many other poisonous snakes, it dies after close contact with the poisonous cane toad. This type of toad is responsible for a drastic decline in the number of Mulga Snakes in the northern parts of Australia.

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Jameson's Mamba
WikiCommons
What is this hissing creature's name?
Common European Viper
Rhabdophis Tigrinus
Boomslang
Jameson's Mamba
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Jameson's Mamba is highly arboreal, more so than any other mamba species, and descends to the ground only in pursuit of prey. Like other mamba species, it is diurnal and prefers to flee from danger.

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Coastal Taipan
Shutterstock
Most people call this snake __________.
Monocled Cobra
Malayan Pit Viper
Puff Adder
Coastal Taipan
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Coastal Taipan belongs to the Elapidae family. They use abandoned animal burrows, hollow logs and piles of vegetation and litter as shelter.

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Speckled Brown Snake
WikiCommons
This venomous snake is known as ____________.
Mamushi
Tiger Snake
Speckled Brown Snake
Cape Cobra
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Brown Snakes are sometimes referred to as “city snakes,” because they tend to populate residential areas. They can live in a variety of habitats, thus making them very abundant.

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Inland Taipan
WikiCommons
What is this venomous snake's name?
Indian Cobra
Inland Taipan
Caspian Cobra
Gaboon Viper
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Inland Taipan, or Oxyuranus microlepidotus, is claimed to be the most venomous snake in the world. It resides in semi-arid regions of central east Australia and is protected by law, just like many other snake varieties.

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Chinese Cobra
WikiCommons
This snake is called the _________.
Monocled Cobra
Chinese Cobra
Garter Snake
Red-bellied Black Snake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Chinese Cobra is a very alert snake variety. If confronted, it will raise its forebody and spread its hood, ready to strike. The younger snakes tend to be more aggressive than adults, as they are unfamiliar with their surroundings. The Chinese Cobra avoids human contact at all costs.

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Cape Cobra
Shutterstock
This snake is referred to as the _________.
Vipera Aspis
Chinese Cobra
Enhydrina Schistosa
Cape Cobra
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Cape Cobra produces venom more powerful than all other African cobra species. Thus, it is the most dangerous snake in Africa. A bite to an adult human brings a 60% chance of death if no antivenom is applied.

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Black Mamba
Shutterstock
What is the name of this deadly snake?
Black Mamba
Many-banded Krait
Rhabdophis tigrinus
Coastal Taipan
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Black Mambas reside in South and East Africa’s savannas, rocky hills and open woodlands. They slither faster than most people can run—part of the reason they are so deadly!

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Congo Water Cobra
YouTube
What is the name of this venomous animal?
Congo Water Cobra
Rhabdophis Tigrinus
Gaboon Viper
Rattlesnake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Congo Water Cobra is one of only two species of water cobras in the world. This aquatic species rarely ever wanders far from its home in the water, and it is rarely seen by humans. It is regarded as one of the most secretive cobras on the planet.

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Philippine Cobra
YouTube
This unique snake is called ________.
Cascabel
Red-bellied Black Snake
Northern Philippine Cobra
King Cobra
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Northern Philippine Cobra is capable of spitting venom up to three meters! Its venom has the deadly ability to interrupt the transmission of nerve signals and to cripple the respiratory system.

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Russell's Viper
Shutterstock
What is this venomous snake's name?
Hydrophis Belcheri
Gaboon Viper
Russell's Viper
Bitis Arietans
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This species was named after Patrick Russell, the Scottish herpetologist that first described many of the Indian snakes. The Russell's Viper is a member of the "big four" snakes of India. Humans kill this snake for its skin and meat.

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Puff Adder
Shutterstock
What is this snake called?
Indian Cobra
Death Adder
Water Snake
Rattlesnake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

An untreated Death Adder bite is one of the most dangerous in the world. You can die within 6 hours if the bite is not properly treated. This vicious creature is known to kill other snakes, as well.

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Indochinese Spitting Cobra
WikiCommons
This deadly snake's name is ____________.
Black Mamba
Indochinese Spitting Cobra
Black Desert Cobra
Dugite
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Cobras spit by squeezing their venom glands, which pushes the venom into the fangs and out of the front holes. Spitting Cobras have larger holes in their fangs than other venomous snakes, which squirt rather than ooze. Their venom can squirt 6 to 8 feet!

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Lowlands Copperhead
WikiCommons
This venomous snake's name is ______________.
Eastern Green Mamba
Lowlands Copperhead
Golden Lacehead
Bothrops Jararacussu
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Lowlands Copperhead is the only venomous snake found above the snow line. It is active in weather that would be considered too cold for most snakes. Copperheads love being around all types of water - dams, soaks, canals, drainage ditches, and along the verges of roads.

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Red Bellied Black Snake
Shutterstock
This deadly snake's name is ____________.
Cottonmouth
Red-Bellied Black Snake
Eastern Green Mamba
Gaboon Viper
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Red-Bellied Black Snake belongs to the Elapid family of snakes, which means it has fangs located in the front of its mouth. The fangs on this snake are relatively small.

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Jararaca
Shutterstock
What is the name of this deadly snake?
Samar Cobra
Green Mamba
Jararaca
Tiger Snake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Jararaca is distinguished by a small sensory pit between each eye and nostril. It has a broad triangular head and is usually about 4 to 7 feet long. It is gray or brown, marked by a series of black-edged diamonds, often bordered in a lighter color. Its bite can be fatal to humans.

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Monocled Cobra
Shutterstock
What is this slithering snake called?
Monocled Cobra
Russell's Viper
Samar Cobra
Rhinoceros Viper
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Monocled cobras get their name from their O-shape hood pattern, also known as the monocellate hood pattern. They live with rodents (and eat them) in their burrows.

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Rinkhals
Shutterstock
The correct name of this snake is __________.
Rinkhals
Horned Viper
Trimeresurus Mucrosquamatus
Mamushi
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Rinkhals are also called ringhals, which derives from the Dutch “ring hals,” meaning "ringed neck," because of the light color crossbands usually found around the throat. They are sometimes also called Ring-Necked Spitting Cobras for the same reason.

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Mali Cobra
WikiCommons
The snake in the image is called _____________.
Cascabel
Mali Cobra
Malayan Pit Viper
Indochinese Spitting Cobra
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Found in West Africa, the Mali Cobra is a species of spitting cobra. They have the ability to raise their upper body a third of their length off the ground.

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Terciopelo
WikiCommons
If you looked this snake up, its name would be _________.
Pseudechis Australis
Trimeresurus Stejnegeri
Terciopelo
Golden Lancehead
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In Costa Rica, the Terciopelo is the most feared snake, as they are responsible for almost half of all snake bites and one-third of all hospitalizations. They can be hard to see in their natural habitat, which makes them even more feared.

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Forest Cobra
Shutterstock
If you looked this snake up, its name would be _________.
Jararaca
Green mambas
Inland taipan
Forest Cobra
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Forest Cobra is the second largest species of Cobra on earth, measuring upwards of 7 feet! When in captivity, they become very aggressive and dominating, perhaps due to their large size.

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