Class Reptilia Suborder Serpentes | Phylum Chordata Rank Species | |
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Similar Boiga drapiezii, Boiga jaspidea, Boiga cyanea, Boiga cynodon, Boiga multomaculata | ||
The black-headed cat snake (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 (5 1⁄2 ft).
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Description
It gets its name from the greenish to blackish coloration of its head. Neonates and juveniles do not exhibit this dark color on the head until adulthood. The body color ranges greatly from brown, orange, red, and even black. The ventral region of the snake is yellowish below the neck and white for the rest.
Subspecies
Two subspecies are recognized:
Distribution
Indonesia, Borneo, Peninsular Malaysia, Thailand.
Habitat
The black-headed cat snake is arboreal, but frequently comes down to the ground in search of prey. They occupy lowland and mid-elevation tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia.
Venom
Little is known about the black-headed cat snake's venom toxicity on humans, but it is thought to be comparable to the severity of a copperhead. This rear fanged colubrid's bite rarely results in adverse effects due to its poor venom delivery system. Luckily their fangs' positioning doesn't result in any significant envenomation.
Symptoms tend to stay localized to the envenomation site, limiting the victim to minor swelling and pain. However, with any run in with venom the possibility of an allergic reaction or anaphylactic shock is heightened. While there may not be any known to date fatalities from Boiga nigriceps, it does not mean they shouldn't be taken seriously! Like all animals that pose a threat they should be handled with vigilance, care, and caution. Which is exactly why there is so much controversy over keeping reptiles such as these rear fanged colubrids as pets. Proper handling equipment (snake hooks/tongs etc.) is suggested to be used while working with this species at all times.
Diet
The black-headed cat snake feeds on lizards, frogs, birds, small mammals and other snakes in the wild.