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Boiga dendrophila
This is a venomous, rear-fanged species. Though it may appear quite docile by day it should NOT be approached too closely as some specimens may be unpredictable in temperament and can cause fatal injuries.
It occurs mainly in mangrove or riverine habitats. By day it lies motionless on overhanging branches, but at night becomes active coming to the ground and feeding on other vertebrates including rodents, small birds and their eggs, frogs, bats and sometimes other snakes. It is also an adept swimmer.
I found this Snake on my walk yesterday. He was in a tree quite high up asleep, he was in a tree that was exactly opposite from the tree that the Waglers Pit Viper was in that I had spotted on the same day.
4 Comments
Alice, very unusual eh. It was more unusual this was spotted in quite a dense forest. I thought they only lived in mangroves and damp areas.
Rear-fanged and cat-eyed - talk about unusual!!
Hi Frazier, They call it Cat Snake as its pupils are vertical unlike other species of snakes where there eyes are horizontal. You are correct it is a mangrove snake. I was surprised to see this where I did. I didnt realise they where found in forested areas. I thought they where only seen in Mangrove areas. But guess we all learn something new. Its not a great picture. I wish I could have got a photo of its face. But he was fast asleep haha
Oh I wasn't aware of this common name. I've always known it by "mangrove snake" although I only saw it far inland in freshwater riverine habitat.