This time, I had the chance to observe the Sunda King cobra (Ophiophagus bungarus) on the famous Indonesian island of Bali.
The King cobra is known as the largest venomous snake in the world, and it also inhabits Bali, where it is both feared and respected by local villagers. I joined the local snake rescue team to witness this incredible reptile up close.
From the Call to the Countryside
Two days earlier, a report had come in that a King cobra had appeared in the backyard of a rural household.
When we arrived, we found ourselves in a typical Balinese farming village, surrounded by rice paddies, cattle, coconut and cacao fields. About 30 meters from the house, beneath a bamboo grove, the snake had been sighted.
In these areas, people often work barefoot. With large palm leaves and fallen debris on the ground, it’s easy to imagine someone accidentally stepping on a hidden cobra. Encounters like this can easily turn dangerous.
The King Appears
After searching the area for several tens of minutes, there it was — a King cobra!
It had moved only about 50 meters from the spot where it was last seen two days before.
Raising its head high and fixing its sharp gaze on us, the cobra radiated authority worthy of its title “King.” It spread its body and let out a sharp hiss, a powerful display of warning.
On closer inspection, there was a scar on its hood, likely from a bite when it was younger—perhaps from another cobra. Its piercing eyes followed every movement around it, a reminder of why it is considered the true monarch among snakes.
Bali: A Paradise for Snakes
The Sunda King cobra is not the only snake inhabiting Bali. The island is home to a remarkable diversity of reptiles, including:
- Javan spitting cobra (Naja sputatrix）
- Reticulated python (Malayopython reticulatus)
Near the same household, we even came across a roadkill of the Javan spitting cobra, while nearby caves are home to Reticulated pythons.
Though Bali is usually associated with beaches and temples, it is also a paradise for herpetology enthusiasts.
Rescue and Aftermath
The King cobra we encountered was safely secured by the snake rescue team using their expert handling skills and placed into a special bag for relocation.
Interestingly, the family who had called also had another issue — a beehive. The team removed it, and we were rewarded with six nests’ worth of fresh honey, which we later enjoyed with local Balinese coffee.
Conclusion
Bali may be best known as a tourist destination, but it is also home to a wide range of wildlife, including some of the world’s most impressive reptiles.
For local villagers, the Sunda King cobra is both a threat and a part of their natural environment. Thanks to the constant efforts of snake rescue teams, people and wildlife can continue to coexist.
Protecting this delicate balance is key to ensuring that humans and nature can share the same space into the future.
How to join
This is the link to the “Bali Snake Rescue” Instagram account.
Feel free to send them a message here.
Click the icon to visit their Instagram page.
