[Lee Stewart]

The world’s longest venomous snake at 18 feet (5.5m) and the star of many a terrifying nightmare, the king cobra is something of a poster-reptile for deadliness. It is indeed one of the most venomous of snakes and also has some particularly scary traits, such as its ability to raise itself up so its beady eyes are level with a human’s. Found mostly in India’s rainforests and plains, they’re also equipped with an intimidating flaring “hood” and a particularly loud hiss. A spit of its venom is enough to kill an elephant or 20 people.