Boiga jaspidea
| jasper cat snake | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Colubridae |
| Subfamily: | Colubrinae |
| Genus: | Boiga |
| Species: | B. jaspidea |
| Binomial name | |
| Boiga jaspidea (Duméril, Bibron & Duméril, 1854) | |
 | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Triglyphodon jaspideum Duméril, Bibron & Duméril, 1854 | |
The jasper cat snake (Boiga jaspidea) is a small and slender species of rear-fanged colubrid that is uncommon throughout its range.
Description
Its 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
Habitat and behavior
The jasper cat snake lives in arboreal habitats in tropical rainforests, 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.