Boiga

''Boiga'' is a large genus of rear-fanged, mildly venomous snakes, known commonly as cat-eyed snakes or simply cat snakes, in the family Colubridae. Species of the genus ''Boiga'' are native to southeast Asia, India, and Australia, but due to their extremely hardy nature and adaptability, have spread to many other suitable habitats around the world. There are 38 recognized species in the genus. According to the study done by Jiří Smíd regarding Old World cat snakes, the ancestor of the cat snake originated in Africa, from where it diversified and expanded to other countries. Despite this diversity however, the different species have very similar needs in terms of temperature and precipitation.

Species and subspecies

The following species and subspecies are recognized as being valid.
*'' Boiga andamanensis'' – Andaman cat snake
*'' Boiga angulata'' – Leyte cat snake
*'' Boiga barnesii'' – Barnes' cat snake
*'' Boiga beddomei'' – Beddome's cat snake
*''Boiga bengkuluensis''
*''Boiga blandingii'' – Blanding's tree snake
*''Boiga bourreti''
*'' Boiga ceylonensis'' – Sri Lanka cat snake
*''Boiga cyanea'' – green cat snake
*'' Boiga cynodon'' – dog-toothed cat snake
*''Boiga dendrophila'' – gold-ringed cat snake, mangrove snake
**''Boiga dendrophila annectens''
**''Boiga dendrophila dendrophila''
**''Boiga dendrophila divergens''
**''Boiga dendrophila gemmicincta''
**''Boiga dendrophila latifasciata''
**''Boiga dendrophila levitoni''
**''Boiga dendrophila multicincta''
**''Boiga dendrophila occidentalis''
*'' Boiga dightoni'' – Pirmad cat snake
*'' Boiga drapiezii'' – white-spotted cat snake
*'' Boiga flaviviridis''
*'' Boiga forsteni'' – Forsten's cat snake
*'' Boiga gocool'' – arrowback tree snake
*'' Boiga guangxiensis''
*'' Boiga hoeseli''
*''Boiga irregularis'' – brown tree snake
*'' Boiga jaspidea'' – jasper cat snake
*'' Boiga kraepelini'' – Kelung cat snake
*'' Boiga melanota''
*'' Boiga multifasciata'' – many-banded cat snake
*''Boiga multomaculata'' – many-spotted cat snake
*'' Boiga nigriceps'' – black-headed cat snake
*'' Boiga nuchalis'' – collared cat snake
*'' Boiga ochracea'' – tawny cat snake
*'' Boiga philippina'' – Philippine cat snake
*'' Boiga quincunciata''
*'' Boiga saengsomi'' – banded cat snake
*'' Boiga schultzei'' – Schultze's blunt-headed tree snake
*'' Boiga siamensis'' – gray cat snake
*'' Boiga tanahjampeana''
*'' Boiga thackerayi'' – Thackeray’s cat snake
*'' Boiga trigonata'' – Indian gamma snake
**''Boiga trigonata trigonata''
**''Boiga trigonata melanocephala''
*'' Boiga wallachi'' – Nicobar cat snake
*'' Boiga westermanni'' – Indian egg-eating snake
*'' Boiga whitakeri'' – Whitaker's cat snake

''Nota bene'': A binomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species was original described in a genus other than ''Boiga''.

Description

Cat snakes are long-bodied snakes with large heads and large eyes. They vary greatly in pattern and color. Many species have banding, but some are spotted and some are solid-colored. Colors are normally black, brown, or green with white or yellow accents.

Behaviour

Snakes of the genus ''Boiga'' are primarily arboreal, nocturnal snakes.

Diet

Snakes of the genus ''Boiga'' prey on various small species of lizards, snakes, birds, and mammals.

Venom

The toxicity of ''Boiga'' venom varies from species to species, but is not generally considered to be life-threatening to humans.
Since their venom doesn't usually harm humans, they are popular exotic pets.

Reproduction

''Boiga'' species are oviparous.

In captivity

''Boiga dendrophila'' is by far the most common species in captivity, but ''B. cyanea'' and ''B. nigriceps'' are also found. Nowadays, ''B. cynodon'', ''B. philippina'' and a “Katherine morph” of ''B. irregularis'' are also circulating in the South-East Asian exotic pet trade. Others are not commonly available. They are hardy and adaptable and tend to do well in captivity after the initial period of stress from the importation process is passed. They are not bred commonly in captivity, so most specimens available are wild caught, and thus are prone to heavy internal parasite load. Adjusting them to a rodent only diet can be difficult for the inexperienced reptile keeper.

Invasive species

''Boiga irregularis'' in particular has been federally banned in the United States because of its effect by accidentally being introduced to the island of Guam. Some time during the 1950s, some ''B. irregularis'' of both sexes (or possibly a single female with eggs) reached the island, possibly having hidden in imported plant pots. The island of Guam lacks native snakes or predators that can deal with snakes the size and aggressiveness of ''B. irregularis''. As a result, it has bred unchecked as an invasive species, and has begun consuming the island's bird life in extreme numbers. Dozens of bird species have been completely eradicated from the island, many species that were found nowhere else on earth, and the snake has reached astonishing population densities, reported to be as high as 15,000 snakes per square mile. In addition to devouring the native fauna, this species will routinely crawl into power transformers, and this typically results in both an electrocuted snake and substantial blackouts.

References

Further reading

* Fitzinger LI (1826). ''Neue Classification der Reptilien nach ihren natürlichen Verwandtschaften. Nebst einer Verwandtschafts-tafel und einem Verzeichnisse der Reptilien-Sammlung des k.k. zoologischen Museums zu Wien.'' Vienna: J.G. Heubner. five unnumbered + 67 pp. + one plate. (''Boiga'', new genus, p. 60). (in German and Latin).

External links

Wild Herps.com: Eastern Brown Tree SnakeGernot-Vogel.de: Checklist of the Genus ''Boiga'' (Serpentes: Colubridae)

{{Taxonbar, from=Q1475483

Boiga
Colubrids
Snakes of Australia
Reptiles of India
Reptiles of Asia
Reptiles of Pakistan
Snake genera
Taxa named by Leopold Fitzinger