Colubridae
Indian Egg-eater
HarmlessBoiga westermanni
The Indian Egg-eater (Boiga westermanni) is a rear-fanged, mildly venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 2 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Indian Egg-eater
The Indian egg-eating snake or Indian egg-eater (Boiga westermanni) 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.
Etymology
The specific name, westermanni, is in honor of Dutch zoologist Geraldus Frederick Westermann (1807–1890).
Geographic range
The Indian egg-eating snake is found in Bangladesh, India, and Nepal. Recent discoveries of the species come from Maharashtra, Gujarat, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka.
Habitat
The preferred natural habitats of B. westermanni are forest and shrubland, at altitudes of 40–1,000 m (130–3,280 ft).
Description
B. westermanni is glossy brown to black, with bluish white flecks posteriorly and a middorsal creamy stripe from neck to tail tip. The head is brown with a black arrow mark. The ventrals are white with brown dots. Adults may attain a total length of 78 cm (31 inches), with a tail 11 cm (4+1⁄4 inches) long.
Behaviour
The Indian egg-eating snake is a diurnal or nocturnal, terrestrial species that shows remarkable dexterity in scaling vegetation. When provoked, it raises the anterior portion of the body, forming S-shaped coils as a defensive strategy.
Diet
B. westermanni exclusively feeds on bird eggs that lack embryonic growth. It has special adaptations such as vertebral hypapophyses, projections of the cervical vertebrae, that jut into the oesophagus, are enamel-capped, and help in cracking eggs. The only other snakes that share these egg-eating adaptations are in the genus Dasypeltis found in Africa.
Reproduction
B. westermanni is oviparous.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Indian Egg-eater
- Is the Indian Egg-eater venomous?
- The Indian Egg-eater (Boiga westermanni) 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 Indian Egg-eater poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Indian Egg-eater is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Indian Egg-eater dangerous?
- The Indian Egg-eater is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Indian Egg-eater live?
- The Indian Egg-eater has verified records in 2 countries, including India, Nepal. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- What does the Indian Egg-eater eat?
- B. westermanni exclusively feeds on bird eggs that lack embryonic growth. It has special adaptations such as vertebral hypapophyses, projections of the cervical vertebrae, that jut into the oesophagus, are enamel-capped, and help in cracking eggs. The only other snakes that share these egg-eating adaptations are in the genus Dasypeltis found in Africa.
- Why is it called the Indian Egg-eater?
- The specific name, westermanni, is in honor of Dutch zoologist Geraldus Frederick Westermann (1807–1890).
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 westermanni
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.