| Boiga cynodon | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Colubridae |
| Genus: | Boiga |
| Species: | B. cynodon |
| Binomial name | |
| Boiga cynodon (F. Boie, 1827) | |
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| Synonyms [2] | |
Boiga cynodon, commonly known as the dog-toothed cat snake, is a nocturnal species of rear-fanged colubrid snake endemic to Asia. [3]
It is a large snake, reaching more than 2 m (6+1⁄2 ft) in total length. The front teeth of the upper jaw and the lower jaw are strongly enlarged. [4] The anterior palatine teeth are significantly enlarged, while the posterior chin shields are larger than the anterior ones. [5]
The dorsal scales are smooth and arranged in 23 or 33 rows at midbody, with the scales in the vertebral row being notably enlarged. The species has 248 to 290 ventral scales and 114 to 165 subcaudal scales. [6]
Boiga cynodon can be distinguished from other similar species by several key characteristics. It is slender and laterally compressed. Notably, it has a post-ocular stripe that is distinctly wavy or irregular, unlike the more even or nearly even upper and lower lines found in other similar species. Although coloration can vary, B. cynodon typically features a yellowish or pale reddish-brown dorsal coloration with dark brown or black transverse spots or crossbars. It also has a dark postocular streak of irregular thickness on each side of the head, and its belly is yellowish, sometimes uniformly colored or marbled with brown. [5]
A black color variation has been reported to be found in Indonesian populations. [7]
This species may possess a potent neurotoxic venom; however, the effects have shown to be reversible with neostigmine, suggesting that envenomation from this species is treatable with anticholinesterase therapy. [8]
It feeds mainly upon small vertebrates such as birds and bird eggs but may also take lizards and small bats. [6]
It has been noted that the dog-toothed cat snake hunts by pursuing and overpowering prey, using both the jaws and tail to immobilize. [9]
Boiga cynodon is an oviparous species, with sexually mature females laying eggs, 6-12 per clutch. [6] Mean egg length is reported as 52mm, while mean width is reported as 24.6mm. Eggs within a clutch often adhere to each other, and offspring have been observed to create a slit from the inside of the egg one day before emerging. [10]
In this species, it is suspected that improper incubation temperature and/or humidity can result in the death of embryos or the emergence of young with spinal deformities. [10]
The dog-toothed cat snake is found in a wide range of habitats, from primary and secondary forest to cultivated areas, rural gardens and urban areas. It is often found in coconut plantations. In forested areas, it is known to live in the canopy [3]
On the island of Bali, Indonesia, the snake is relatively abundant in secondary forests and gardens, especially in locations where trees and bushes grow over rivers and streams. The presence of juveniles in these habitats suggests successful breeding in disturbed areas, though it is also possible that the snakes are taking refuge in the remaining patches of relatively undisturbed riverine habitats that border cultivated land. [3]
The dog-toothed cat snake has been reported to be predated on by the black spitting cobra (Naja sumatrana). [11]
Boiga cynodon is occasionally killed by vehicles, as evidenced by reports of roadkill incidents. [12] It has also been recorded being sold in some online groups in the Philippines. [13]
Boiga cynodon is a widespread species in Southeast Asia, ranging from southern Thailand into Peninsular Malaysia (including Pulau Tioman) and Singapore, extending south into Indonesia as far as Bali (including the Mentawai Archipelago, Sumatra, Nias, the Riau Archipelago, and Java). It is also found on Borneo (Brunei, Kalimantan, Sabah, and Sarawak) and throughout the Philippines, including the islands of Basilan, Culion, Dinagat, Leyte, Luzon, Mindanao, Palawan, Polillo, Sibutu, Panay, Samar, and the Sulu Archipelago. Records from the Lesser Sundas east of Bali, including Sumbawa and Flores, refer to the closely related Boiga hoeseli. It is typically found from near sea level up to around 600m in the Philippines. The presence of this species in Myanmar is uncertain. [3]
This species was assessed by IUCN on the 30th of August 2011 and listed as least concern. This is due to the fact it has a wide range, presumably large population, presence in a number of protected areas, tolerance for habitat modification, and appears to have a stable population with no known major threats. [3]
Available data suggests the ex-situ population of the species consists of 3 males, 6 females, and 1 unsexed individual, bringing the total to 10. These individuals are held across 2 institutions that are members of Species360, located in 2 different countries. [3] Captive individuals have been reported by Cobra Show Thailand (Surat Thani, Thailand), the Moscow Zoo breeding nursery (Sychovo, Russia) and Tula Exotarium (Tula, Russia). [14]
Boiga is a large genus of rear-fanged, mildly venomous snakes, known commonly as cat-eyed snakes or simply cat snakes, in the family Colubridae. Species of the genus Boiga are native to southeast Asia, India, and Australia, but due to their extremely hardy nature and adaptability, have spread to many other suitable habitats around the world. There are 38 recognized species in the genus. According to the study done by Jiří Smíd regarding Old World cat snakes, the ancestor of the cat snake originated in Africa, from where it diversified and expanded to other countries. Despite this diversity however, the different species have very similar needs in terms of temperature and precipitation.
Ahaetulla prasina is an arboreal, moderately venomous species of opisthoglyphous vine snake in the family Colubridae, found in Southern and Southeast Asia. Its common names include the Asian vine snake, Boie's whip snake, Gunther's whip snake, and the Oriental whip snake.
Boiga dendrophila, commonly called the mangrove snake or the gold-ringed cat snake, is a species of rear-fanged venomous snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to southeast Asia. It is one of the biggest cat snake species, averaging 8–9 feet in length. It is considered mildly venomous. Although moderate envenomations resulting in intense swelling have been reported, there has never been a confirmed fatality.
Boiga dightoni, commonly known as Dighton's catsnake, the Pirmad cat snake, and the Travancore cat snake, is a species of rear-fanged mildly venomous snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to the Western Ghats of India.
Boiga forsteni, also known commonly as Forsten's cat snake, is a species of mildly venomous rear-fanged snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to South Asia.
Boiga multomaculata, also called the many-spotted cat snake, large-spotted cat snake and marbled cat-eyed snake, is a species of rear-fanged colubrid snakes.
Boiga wallachi, also known commonly as the Nicobar cat snake, is a species of rear-fanged snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to the Nicobar Islands.
The Indian egg-eating snake or Indian egg-eater is a rare species of egg-eating snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to the Indian subcontinent. It is also called Westermann's snake, reflecting its scientific name. The snake belongs to the monotypic genus Elachistodon.
Gonyosoma oxycephalum, known commonly as the arboreal ratsnake, the red-tailed green rat snake, and the red-tailed racer, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Southeast Asia.
Ptyas mucosa, commonly known as the Oriental rat snake, dhaman or Indian rat snake, is a common non-venomous species of colubrid snake found in parts of South and Southeast Asia. Dhamans are large snakes. Typical mature total length is around 1.5 to 1.95 m though some exceed 2 m. The record length for this species was 3.7 m, second only to their cousin Ptyas carinata among living colubrid snakes. Despite their large size, oriental ratsnakes are usually quite slender with even a specimen of 2 m commonly measuring 4 to 6 cm only around in diameter. Furthermore, the average weight of ratsnakes caught in Java was around 877 to 940 g, though larger males of over 2.3 m may easily weigh over 2.5 kg (5.5 lb). Their color varies from pale browns in dry regions to nearly black in moist forest areas. Rat snakes are diurnal, semi-arboreal, non-venomous, and fast-moving. Rat snakes eat a variety of prey and are frequently found in urban areas where rodents thrive.
Dendrelaphis is a genus of colubrid snakes, distributed from Pakistan, India and southern China to Indonesia, Timor-Leste, the Philippines, Australia, New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. There are over forty described species. Asian species are known commonly as bronzebacks, while the Australo-Papuan species are simply called tree snakes. All are non-venomous and entirely harmless to humans.
Boiga drapiezii, commonly known as Drapiez's cat snake and the white-spotted cat snake, is a species of long and slender rear-fanged snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to Maritime Southeast Asia and is common throughout its range.
Boiga nigriceps is a species of colubrid snake from South-East Asia. They are large snakes; adults may attain a total length of 1.75 m.
Boiga barnesii is a species of cat snake endemic to Sri Lanka. It is known as Barnes' cat snake in English and panduru mapila-පදුරු මාපිලා in Sinhala. It is a member of the snake family Colubridae. It is distributed in the lowlands and midlands up to approximately 600 m (2,000 ft) above sea level, with known localities include Matale, Kandy, Gannoruwa, Gampola, Ambagamuwa, Balangoda, Labugama and Sinharaja Rain Forest. Barnes' cat snake is mainly a forest-dwelling species but may occasionally be found in human habitats. It is the smallest cat snake in Sri Lanka and grows up to a maximum of about 600 mm (24 in) in snout-vent length. Being a nocturnal and an arboreal hunter, it mainly feeds on agamid lizards and geckos. The day time is usually spent inside a tree hole or a crevice. It’s a very timid and a mildly venomous snake and rarely attempts to bite.
Boiga philippina, also known as the tawny cat eyed snake or Philippine cat snake, a species of rear-fanged colubrid snake that is endemic to the Philippines.
Pseudoxenodontinae is a small subfamily of colubroid snakes, sometimes referred to as a family (Pseudoxenodontidae). They are found in southern and southeastern Asia, from northeast India to southern China and south into Indonesia as far east as Wallace's Line. There are 10 species in 2 genera. Most are very poorly known, such that Pseudoxenodontinae is one of the most poorly known groups of snakes.
Boiga kraepelini, commonly known as the square-headed cat snake, Kelung cat snake, or Taiwanese tree snake, is a mildly venomous species of rear-fanged snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to East Asia and Southeast Asia. Its specific name, kraepelini, honours Karl Kraepelin, a German naturalist. The common name, Kelung cat snake, refers to its type locality, Keelung in northern Taiwan.
Toxicodryas blandingii, commonly known as **Blanding's cat snake** and **Blanding's tree snake**, is a species of rear-fanged venomous snake of the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Sub-Saharan Africa.
Trimerodytes praemaxillaris is a species of snake in the subfamily Natricinae of the family Colubridae. It is also known commonly as Angel's mountain keelback, Angel's stream snake, and the brown stream snake. The species is endemic to Southeast Asia.
Boiga flaviviridis, the yellow-green cat snake, is a species of mildly venomous, rear-fanged snake of the family Colubridae, which is found in India. It is a rear fanged, nocturnal, arboreal species of snake that probably feeds on lizards, frogs and small birds. It was first described in 2013.
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