Colubridae
Eyed Cat Snake
HarmlessBoiga siamensis
3 photographs of the Eyed Cat Snake. © Paulmathi Vinod.
The Eyed Cat Snake (Boiga siamensis) is a rear-fanged, mildly venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 8 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Eyed Cat Snake
The gray cat snake (Boiga siamensis), also known as eyed cat snake or Siamese cat snake is a species of catsnake found in northeastern India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam. and Nepal
Description
The Siamese cat snake resembles the dog-toothed snake but it occupies a different geographical range. It is a large snake, reaching almost 2 m (6 1⁄2 ft) in total length. Colours are greyish-brown with black crossbars that are most distinct interiorly. The head is dark brown with a dark streak from behind the eye to the first body crossbar that is broken just beyond the last supralabial. The chin and throat are white, the ventrals white to light brown
Behavior and venom
Mostly nocturnal, it is a potentially aggressive snake. It is a rear fanged venom snake but there are not known casualties registered.
Geographic range
It is found in India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Cambodia, Thailand, Nepal, Malaysia, and Vietnam. It is also found in Laos.
Habitat
These snakes are found in forest-hills and plains and can be found up to 1,700 m (5,577 ft.). They are arboreal but can be found near water too.
Diet
This snake feeds on, birds, and eggs.
Reproduction
Boiga siamensis is an oviparous species, with sexually mature females laying eggs, 6–12 per clutch
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Eyed Cat Snake
- Is the Eyed Cat Snake venomous?
- The Eyed Cat Snake (Boiga siamensis) is rear-fanged and only mildly venomous. It is not considered dangerous to humans (its venom is weak and its fangs sit at the back of the mouth) but a bite can cause local swelling or irritation, so it should not be handled.
- Is the Eyed Cat Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Eyed Cat Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Eyed Cat Snake dangerous?
- The Eyed Cat Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Eyed Cat Snake live?
- The Eyed Cat Snake has verified records in 8 countries, including Thailand, India, Viet Nam. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- What does the Eyed Cat Snake eat?
- This snake feeds on, birds, and eggs.
Where it is found
More Colubridae snakes
Classification
How scientists group this snake, from the broadest category down to the exact species. Each step narrows to its closest relatives.
- OrderThe broad group of scaled reptiles: all snakes and lizards
- Squamata
- FamilyA group of related snakes that share key traits
- Colubridae
- GenusA close-knit group of very similar species
- Boiga
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Boiga siamensis
Keep learning
- What to Do If You Find a SnakeFound a snake at home or on a trail? Here is how to stay calm, give it space, identify it safely, and know when to call a professional.
- Venomous vs Nonvenomous: How to Tell the DifferenceThe folk rules for telling venomous snakes apart, where each one fails, and why location-based identification beats guessing by sight.
- What Is a Snake? Anatomy and the BasicsA clear overview of what makes a snake a snake: limbless body plan, anatomy, evolution from lizards, species diversity, and why they are ectothermic.
- How to Keep Snakes Out of Your Yard and HomeA practical guide to keeping snakes out of your yard and home using habitat changes that work, plus what to skip and what to do if one shows up.
Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.