Key to the species of Ophiophagus Günther, 1864

1. More than 17 pterygoid tooth sockets; light body bands present at all ages,>1.5 scales wide, with dark edges in most adults .......................................................................... O. hannah (Cantor, 1836)

– 12 or fewer pterygoid tooth sockets, body bands not as above ........................................................ 2

2. Pale body bands always present, fewer than 55,>1.5 scales wide; <90 subcaudals ......................... .......................................................................... O. kaalinga Gowri Shankar, Das & Ganesh sp. nov.

– Body bands absent or narrow (<1 scale wide), more than 55; often>90 subcaudals ..................... 3

3. Juveniles with 57–87 regular narrow light body bands, adults with faint narrow bands or unpatterned ......................................................................................... O. bungarus (Schlegel, 1837)

– Juveniles with>80 often irregular, highly angular narrow light bands, adults always without pale bands ................................................................ O. salvatana Gowri Shankar, Das & Wüster sp. nov.