The freak snake with the scorpion sting that could take your pain away

By Bridie Smith
Updated December 11 2016 - 12:13pm, first published October 31 2016 - 8:29am
Dr Bryan Fry holds a king cobra. Young king cobras are often prey to the blue coral snake. Photo: Bryan Fry
Dr Bryan Fry holds a king cobra. Young king cobras are often prey to the blue coral snake. Photo: Bryan Fry
The venom glands of the long-glanded blue coral snake are up to 60 centimetres long. Photo: Bryan Fry
The venom glands of the long-glanded blue coral snake are up to 60 centimetres long. Photo: Bryan Fry

This snake is a freak. It boasts the largest venom glands in the world. It eats king cobras for breakfast. And it has a scorpion's sting. But that's not what has scientists excited.