Gold-ringed Cat Snake / Mangrove Snake

Description:

The gold-ringed cat snake or mangrove snake (Boiga dendrophila) is a species of rear-fanged colubrid. It is one of the biggest cat snake species, averaging 6–8 feet (1.8-2.4 m) in length. It is considered mildy-venomous, but moderate envenomations resulting in intense swelling have been reported, though there has never been a confirmed fatality. Snout longer than eye; rostral more broad than deep, visible from above; internasals as long as or shorter than the prae-frontals; frontal as long as or slightly shorter than its distance from the tip of the snout; loreal as long as deep or more long; a praeocular extending to the upper surface of the head, not reaching the frontal; two postoculars; temporals 2 + 2 or 2 + 3; eight (nine) upper labials, third to fifth entering the eye; four or five lower labials in contact with the anterior chin-shields; latter as long as or longer than the posterior; anterior palatine teeth not much larger than the posterior. Scales in 21 (23) rows, vertebral row enlarged; ventrals 2O9-239; anal entire; subcaudals 89 no. Black above, with yellow transverse bands, continuous or not extending across the back; labials yellow, with black edges. Lower surface black or bluish, uniform or speckled with yellow; throat yellow. Total length 2310 mm. ostly nocturnal. It is a potentially aggressive snake. Even captive bred specimens can be nervous and may strike repeatedly. Although many specimens will calm down and allow handling with appropriate safety equipment, they are normally easily stressed and may refuse food for extended periods of time if disturbed.

Habitat:

Can be found in Mangrove Swamps and its vicinity in most South East Asian countries

Notes:

This was a Juvenile, less than 1 meter in length, all coiled up on a lower branch, 0.5 meter above ground, so it was very easy for us to get up close and even take close-up shots of it. It stayed at the same place the whole time we were with it :)