Colubridae
Pirmad Cat Snake
HarmlessBoiga dightoni
3 photographs of the Pirmad Cat Snake. (c) Ronith Urs, some rights reserved (CC BY).
The Pirmad Cat Snake (Boiga dightoni) is a rear-fanged, mildly venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 1 country.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Pirmad Cat Snake
Boiga dightoni, commonly known as Dighton's catsnake, the Pirmad cat snake, and the Travancore cat snake, is a species of rear-fanged mildly venomous snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to the Western Ghats of India.
Etymology
The common name, Pirmad cat snake, refers to Peermade (also spelled Peermad, Pirmaad, Pirmed, and Pirmedu), a place in Kerala, India, elevation 3,300 feet (1,006 m).
The specific name or epithet, dightoni, is in honor of tea planter S.M. Dighton, the collector of the holotype specimen.
Geographic range
In India B. dightoni is found in the Ponmudi Hills and Travancore Hills of Kerala State, and in the Anaimalai Hills and Palni Hills of western Tamil Nadu State.
Description
B. dightoni is pale reddish-brown dorsally, with a series of salmon-red blotches. Its head is pale brown with minute blackish dots. Ventrally, it is yellowish, finely-dotted with brown. The outer ends of the ventral scales are salmon-pink. It is medium-sized, adults attaining a total length (including tail) of 1.1 m (3.6 feet).
Behavior
B. dightoni is arboreal and nocturnal.
Habitat
B. dightoni inhabits trees and shrubs in forested areas, at altitudes of 800–1,100 m (2,600–3,600 ft).
Diet
B. dightoni preys on lizards, including Calotes versicolor.
Reproduction
B. dightoni is oviparous.
Venom
Although rear-fanged and possessing a mild venom, B. dightoni is not considered dangerous to humans, mainly due to its small size.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Pirmad Cat Snake
- Is the Pirmad Cat Snake venomous?
- The Pirmad Cat Snake (Boiga dightoni) 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 Pirmad Cat Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Pirmad Cat Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Pirmad Cat Snake dangerous?
- The Pirmad Cat Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Pirmad Cat Snake live?
- The Pirmad Cat Snake has verified records in 1 country, including India. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- What does the Pirmad Cat Snake eat?
- B. dightoni preys on lizards, including Calotes versicolor.
- Why is it called the Pirmad Cat Snake?
- The common name, Pirmad cat snake, refers to Peermade (also spelled Peermad, Pirmaad, Pirmed, and Pirmedu), a place in Kerala, India, elevation 3,300 feet (1,006 m). The specific name or epithet, dightoni, is in honor of tea planter S.M. Dighton, the collector of the holotype specimen.
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 dightoni
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.