PREVIEW

Australian zookeepers have successfully performed a health check on a highly venomous snake.

Sultan the King Cobra, a resident at The Australian Park, is known to be incredibly deadly, and one bite often proves to be fatal without the treatment of antivenom.

To be able to handle the exotic species, the Park were also required to have specialised antivenom imported from overseas.

During Sultan’s health check, Operations Manager Billy Collett meticulously measured, weighed and assessed the overall condition of the snake to ensure it was in good health. King Cobras are among the largest snakes in the world, often exceeding 5 meters in length when fully grown.

Astonishingly, Sultan measured a whopping 3.4 meters long and weighed an impressive 5.5 kilograms. Already at this length, Sultan very well could be the longest venomous snake living in Australia. Collett exclaimed, “He’s only 5 years old, and I knew he was massive, but he was even bigger than I expected for his age!”

As part of the health check, Collett carefully examined Sultan's eyes, scales, and other physical attributes. Unlike mammals, reptiles do not actively display signs of poor health. Collett emphasised, “Measuring the length and weight of reptiles is essential for monitoring their well-being. However, handling a highly venomous snake such as a King Cobra for this purpose demands extreme caution. A single misstep from myself or my fellow keepers could prove fatal.”

The most perilous task during the health check was milking the cobra. King Cobras are notorious for producing substantial venom yields, making them one of the deadliest snakes in the world. Milking the cobra was essential to evaluate the health of its venom. This process involved examining its colour and volume while also providing an opportunity to closely inspect its fangs. During the milking process, Sultan yielded an astonishing 350 milligrams of venom.

The Australian Reptile Park has a long history of success in breeding King Cobras in captivity. In 2005, the park became the first and only zoo in Australia to successfully breed these majestic snakes, resulting in the birth of 20 baby King Cobras. This award-winning wildlife park remains dedicated to its core mission of conservation, education, and public engagement, offering visitors the chance to witness the beauty and importance of these often misunderstood creatures.