Colubridae
White-spotted Cat Snake
HarmlessBoiga drapiezii
6 photographs of the White-spotted Cat Snake. © Jay Paroline.
The White-spotted Cat Snake (Boiga drapiezii) is a rear-fanged, mildly venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 8 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the White-spotted Cat Snake
Boiga drapiezii, commonly known as Drapiez's cat snake and the white-spotted cat snake, is a species of long and slender rear-fanged snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to Maritime Southeast Asia and is common throughout its range.
Etymology
The epithet, drapiezii, is in honor of Belgian naturalist Auguste Drapiez.
Description
There are two known phases of B. drapiezii. The green phase has a marbled green body with a more robust head and width. The brown phase is much more slender with orange brown triangle-like bands across the body. This species is in need of urgent review, with possibly subspecies awaiting discovery and subsequent description.
Geographic range
B. drapiezii is found in Borneo, Indonesia, Peninsular Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand, Vietnam.
Habitat
The preferred natural habitat of B. drapiezii is forest, at altitudes of 80–900 m (260–2,950 ft).
Behavior
The white-spotted cat snake is nocturnal and arboreal. It can often be found moving about on the forest floor in search of prey and travel. It is found in tropical rainforest, sometimes on branches near streams.
Diet
In the wild, the white-spotted cat snake preys upon frogs, geckos, and other small lizards, as well as insects, birds, and bird eggs.
Reproduction
B. drapiezii is oviparous.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: White-spotted Cat Snake
- Is the White-spotted Cat Snake venomous?
- The White-spotted Cat Snake (Boiga drapiezii) 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 White-spotted Cat Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The White-spotted Cat Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the White-spotted Cat Snake dangerous?
- The White-spotted Cat Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the White-spotted Cat Snake live?
- The White-spotted Cat Snake has verified records in 8 countries, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- What does the White-spotted Cat Snake eat?
- In the wild, the white-spotted cat snake preys upon frogs, geckos, and other small lizards, as well as insects, birds, and bird eggs.
- Why is it called the White-spotted Cat Snake?
- The epithet, drapiezii, is in honor of Belgian naturalist Auguste Drapiez.
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 drapiezii
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.