Colubridae
Jasper Cat Snake
HarmlessBoiga jaspidea
6 photographs of the Jasper Cat Snake. © Kai Squires.
The Jasper Cat Snake (Boiga jaspidea) is a rear-fanged, mildly venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 5 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Jasper Cat Snake
Boiga jaspidea, commonly known as the jasper cat snake, is a species of rear-fanged colubrid that is uncommon throughout its range.
Description
Its small and slender body is reddish to chocolate brown, but rich black and white speckles cover the entire body except for the ventrals, which are yellow. In addition, there are faint black lateral bars, and white spots on the ventrolateral area. Its maximum length is 1.5 m (4.9 feet).
Geographic range
Indonesia, Borneo, Peninsular Malaysia, Thailand and southern Vietnam.
Habitat and behavior
The jasper cat snake lives in arboreal habitats in tropical forests, and sometimes among low-lying shrubs. It has been reported to lay up to three eggs in termite nests. Little else is known about this elusive snake.
Diet
The jasper cat snake feeds on geckos and other smaller snakes in the wild.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Jasper Cat Snake
- Is the Jasper Cat Snake venomous?
- The Jasper Cat Snake (Boiga jaspidea) 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 Jasper Cat Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Jasper Cat Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Jasper Cat Snake dangerous?
- The Jasper Cat Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Jasper Cat Snake live?
- The Jasper Cat Snake has verified records in 5 countries, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- What does the Jasper Cat Snake eat?
- The jasper cat snake feeds on geckos and other smaller snakes in the wild.
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 jaspidea
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.