Mangrove snake

Scientific Name: Boiga dendrophila

Did You Know?

The mangrove snake, while venomous, is rear-fanged, instead of front-fanged. Its venom, which can cause painful swelling in humans, works extremely well on birds, which are the main part of its diet.

The mangrove snake is sometimes called the gold-ringed cat snake, due to its distinctive patterning: thin golden yellow rings on a black background. Around the mouth the scales are yellow with black edges and the underbelly a blackish-blue. This slim snake grows to 2.5 metres long and has a short head, distinct from its neck.

Habitat:

The mangrove snake is found in south-east Asia, from India through to Indonesia and the Philippines. As the name suggests, it is found in mangroves and lowland rainforests near water. Being arboreal (tree dwellers) they spend their days in the branches, coming down at night to hunt. They are also good swimmers.

Diet:

Small birds, reptiles, mammals, frogs and fish. Prey is immobilised by biting and injecting venom from the rear fangs.

Reproduction:

Mangrove snakes lay clutches of 4-15 eggs, which take 3-4 months to hatch. Hatchlings are 30-40 centimetres long.

More Exotic Snakes

• Asian Cobra
• Corn Snake
• Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake
• Eyelash Viper
• King Cobra
• Mangrove snake
• Rock rattlesnake
• Western diamond-backed rattlesnake