But while talking about snakes in general with Field Museum scientists would surely be fascinating unto itself, in this case, the subject is a huge discovery about king cobras. Th

"There's just a lot we don't know, and this is sort of the first step in getting a better grasp on what this biodiversity really means," said Sara Ruane, associate curator of reptiles and amphibians at the Field Museum.

As the Year of the Snake begins, researchers at the Field Museum are reclassifying dozens of king cobra specimens after distinct different species were recently identified.

The King Cobra, once a single species, is now classified into four: Northern, Sunda, Western Ghats, and Luzon King Cobra. A 20-year study revealed genetic differences, unique habitats, and behavioral traits.