The deep jungle of Central Sumatra, Indonesia, a hostile environment teeming with king cobras, tigers, elephants, rhinos, and crocodiles, became the setting for a high-stakes expedition led by The Real Tarzann. Driven by an intense vision he had a few days prior—seeing the biggest cobra on the planet—The Real Tarzann booked a flight seven days later to meet up with a local expert. This journey began just hours after landing, with an immediate, adrenaline-fueled confrontation: a 10-foot ditch in the middle of a palm oil plantation filled with spitting cobras.
At 7:00 a.m. with "no coffee," The Real Tarzann entered the pit, protected only by glasses, to catch three spitting cobras with his bare hands. He stressed the extreme danger of this species, noting that if the venom gets into an eye, open wound, or mouth sore, it will penetrate and enter the bloodstream. After securing the first snake, his mother went down to retrieve the second. Despite the surrounding "madness"—sweat in his eyes, people screaming, cell phones out, and people bumping into them—the team successfully secured three spitting cobras, which were described as beautiful, with "gold speckles," before leaving the area to find a new release spot.
The main objective of the trip was confirmed after a follower from Sri Lanka posted an Instagram reel of a massive snake. The Real Tarzann texted the follower, who responded, "Come measure it". Upon arriving in Sumatra, he met Amar, known as the "king of Sumatra" and an expert on king cobras, reticulated pythons, and crocodiles. Both men are 31 years old. The Real Tarzann estimated the immense size of the snake from the reel by comparing it to Amar, who is about 5'8 or 5'10, noting Amar was "a little bit bigger than him".
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The Real Tarzann clarified that his ability to handle such dangerous animals is not due to "magical skills," but years of rigorous training from his sensei, Harry. He has spent 30 days every year for four or five years staying at Harry’s house, learning everything he knows about king cobras and handling, from small kings "all the way to big kings". This intense period of learning involved sleeping, eating, and praying together, giving him a deep understanding of how to "coexist with these animals".
The expedition culminated in the encounter with what he argues is the largest king cobra on the planet. Though he confessed it wasn't the largest snake he had encountered, it was massive, thick, and a "beautiful specimen," estimated to be around 20 years old and identified as a "good girl" since females can grow this big. He was stunned by its size and thickness, comparing it to his own arm and the size of his thigh and leg. He called the venomous king cobra a "beast," a "dragon," and a "mythical creature" that deserved the title.
The physical demands of the encounter were amplified by recent injuries; The Real Tarzann had tweaked his left leg the previous day chasing a water monitor, and his right leg, recovering from a gymnastics injury, was only 95% functional, leaving him "walking on two bum ass legs". This required him to rely heavily on upper body strength, reaction times, and his mind, playing "chess" to "outsmart a big old nasty wild snake".
The ultimate confrontation with the giant king cobra, which was incredibly active and athletic for its size, was a true battle. The Real Tarzann initially underestimated the coils, calling the snake a "strong boy" and a "beast of a snake". At one point, the snake had both his legs and his arm wrapped, and he "can feel [his] blood loss circulation," forcing him to flip the snake over to break the hold. Exhausted, he confessed, "I've met my match and snakes". He later realized he had fulfilled a lifelong dream: finding the biggest king cobra in the world. Sumatra proved the truth of the phrase "wonderful Indonesia," a place where he has encountered Komodo dragons and Bornean orangutans.
