Boiga forsteni

Boiga forsteni

''Boiga forsteni'', commonly known as Forsten's cat snake, is a species of mildly venomous rear-fanged colubrid endemic to South Asia.
Forsten's Cat Snake ( Boiga forsteni ) Boiga forsteni, commonly known as Forsten's cat snake, is a species of mildly venomous rear-fanged colubrid endemic to South Asia. Boiga forstenii is found in Nepal, Sri Lanka, and India (Sikkim, Maharashtra, Kerala). The specific name, forstenii, is in honor of Dutch naturalist Eltio Alegondas Forsten (1811–1843) Characteristics for identification: Identified by checking larger size than other Boiga species, patternless head and light color cross bars in zig-zag manner. Usually identified by checking larger size than other Boiga species, patternless head and light color cross bars in zig-zag manner. Description: Average length- 100cm. Maximum length- 230cm. Dorsal - Laterally flattened long body. Scales smooth, long shaped and obliquely arranged. Top dosral scales along the vertebra larger than side scales. Dorsal color variable and number of variations seen in patterns also. Usually two most common ground color grayish and brown found in most of its range. Also found in light or dark grayish, reddish-orange. Black, white or yellowish cross bars in zig zag manner starts from neck to posterior body where they become faint but visible. In some specimens dorsal body totally patternless. Ventral - Belly color white, yellow or yellowish-brown; with or without blackish patches on the outer edge of ventral scales. Subcaudal scales paired in zig-zag manner. Head - Head triangular with rounded edge; clearly broader than neck. Top of the head may be lighter than side and patternless. Large eyes bears vertical pupil. Tail - Long and thin tail typically like other arboreal snakes with pointed tip. Dorsal body patterns found in faint form. Hide Scalation Head: 8-11 supralabials; 3rd to 5th or 4th to 6th in contact with eyes; 1 preocular; 1 loreal; 2 postocular; temporal 3+3 or 3+4. Dorsal: Scales smooth with 25/27: 27/29/31: 17/15 oblique rows. Ventral: 254-273; anal divided. Sub Caudal: 102-119 (131); paired. Habitat: Choose heights for roosting and foraging. Remain hidden in tree holes, caves, piles, dense vegetation at height during day time. Found in variety of dense forests having undisturbed vegetation of hills and plains both. It is one common but rarely seen snake of Saal forests of India. Natural History: Activity nocturnal and arboreal. Locomotion moderate. Can be seen from early night to early morning. Behavior shy, elusive and usually non-offensive. On threatening throws much of fore body into tight loops with head above the ground, puff its neck and hiss to frighten its enemy. Gives regular mock attacks to maintain safe distance. Oviparous. Lays up to 10 eggs in tree hole, cracks etc in summers. Diet: Feeds equally on lizards, birds, rodents, frogs, other snakes, eggs etc. Threats: Threats includes killing due to confusion & misidentification with venomous species like Vipers due to triangular head and vertical pupil. More threats are destruction habitat and road kills. Hide Look Alike Yellow-green Cat Snake Boiga forsteni,Geotagged,India,forstencatsnake,herping,india,thane,yeoorhills

Appearance

:''See snake scales for terms used''
The anterior palatine and mandibular teeth are considerably larger than the others. The eye is about as long as its distance from the nostril.

The rostral scale is broader than it is deep and the internasals are much shorter than the prefrontals. The frontal is nearly as long as its distance from the end of the snout, which is shorter than the parietal scales. The loreal is square or deeper than it is long. There is one preocular scale, extending to the upper surface of the head, and two or three postoculars. The temporal scales are very small and numerous. There are eight to eleven upper labials, with the third, fourth and fifth, or the fourth fifth and sixth entering the eye. There are three or four lower labials, in contact with the anterior chin shields, which are about as long as the posterior. The ventral scales are 259 to 270, the anal entire and the subcaudals 106 to 131.

The body is laterally compressed. The dorsal scales are in 25 or 27 rows at midbody, disposed obliquely, and the vertebral row is feebly enlarged. It is brown above, with more or less regular angular black crossbars, with or without white spots between them. There is a black band from the frontal shield to the nape and another on each side behind the eye. The lower parts are white, uniform or spotted with brown.

The longest specimen examined by Boulenger in 1890 had a total length of 4 feet 10 inches , including a tail which was 1 ft long. According to Das maximum snout to vent length is 2.3 m .

Naming

The specific name, ''forstenii'', is in honor of Dutch naturalist Eltio Alegondas Forsten .

Behavior

''B. forsteni'' is nocturnal and arboreal.

Habitat

The preferred habitats of ''B. forsteni'' are lowland forests and agricultural areas.

Reproduction

''B. forsteni'' is an oviparous species. Sexually mature females lay 5-10 eggs. In India the eggs are laid in August and September.

Food

''B. forsteni'' preys on lizards, snakes, birds, bats, and rodents.

Defense

Like other species of the genus ''Boiga'', ''B. forsteni'' possesses a mild venom. However, because of its large size, bites to humans should be taken seriously.

References:

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Taxonomy
KingdomAnimalia
DivisionChordata
ClassReptilia
OrderSquamata
FamilyColubridae
GenusBoiga
SpeciesB. forsteni
Photographed in
India