juvenile Wagler's pit viper + banded mangrove snake, yellow ringed cat snake

Description:

Wagler's Pit Viper is perhaps the most well-known of the green, arboreal pit vipers to be found in the region. This is a snake of primary forest, mature secondary forest and mangroves. It is active by night; by day it generally lays coiled high in the trees. The term "pit viper" refers to heat-sensing "pits" which occur on each cheek - these are used to locate prey. As with other pit vipers, this species has haemotoxic venom, meaning it is poisonous to the blood system. The species can be identified by the triangular head. Juveniles are mainly light green with narrow pale bands, and adults are dark green with thicker yellowish bands. Wagler's Pit Viper ranges from Southern Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore to Borneo, Sumatra, Sulawesi and the more southerly islands of the Philippines. Boiga dendrophila melanota (Banded Mangrove Snake, Yellow ringed Cat Snake) Thai: (ngu plong tong) Length: Up to 250 cm. In Thailand, the animals normally only reach a length of approx. 2 meters. Occurrence: The Boiga dendrophila is only to be found in Southern Thailand. Behaviour/habitat: The snake resides in rain and mangrove forests. It is mostly found near rivers, brooks, ponds and swamps. This species is nocturnal. The snake feeds almost everything they can catch, including other snakes. If aggravated, the snake makes itself into an S shape, flattens out the front of its body and opens its mouth wide, so that the black inside of the mouth can be seen. The snakes are easily provoked and bite very quickly. Danger: The danger of poisoning is almost non-existent. Only due to size and the aggression of the animals, can it lead to strong bleeding and painful wounds if bitten. Attention: This snake is easily confused with the highly poisonous Krait Bungarus Fasciatus.

Notes:

http://www.ecologyasia.com/verts/snakes/... http://www.siam-info.com/english/snakes_...