Boiga trigonata

Common Cat is the most widely distributed Boiga species of Indian subcontinent. This species can be found in almost all kind of forests and wide range of elevations. Can be identified by checking triangular head broader than neck, Y shaped light colour mark on the top of head, verticle pupil, brown dorsal marked with black & white irregular markings. Scales 21:21:15 oblique rows. Vertebrals larger than the adjacent scales. Venrals 206-256; subcaudals 75-96, Paired.

DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERES

Head:
8 supralabials; 3rd to 5th in contact with eyes; 1 preocular; loreal 1; 2 postocular.

Dorsal:
Scales smooth in 21: 21: 15 rows.

Ventral:
206-256; anal undivided.

Sub Caudal:
75-96; paired.

REPRODUCTION

Oviparous. Female lays up to 10 eggs in tree holes, under the rocks, holes etc. from summer to most of the monsoon.

SIZE

Average length- 70cm 

Maximum length- 125cm

MORPHOLOGY

Dorsal body:

Medium length, thin and laterally flattened body. Scales smooth and long in shape; top dorsal scales are larger than side scales. Dorsal colour grayish-brown with black, dark brown and white markings in a zigzag manner. These patterns may be in dense form according to regional morphology.

Ventral body:

Belly color white or yellow with dark brown or blackish spots on each edge of many scales. Subcaudal scales paired in a zig-zag manner.

Head:

Head triangular with rounded edges; clearly broader than neck. The head has more shiny scales than dorsal area. A specific marking of "Y" or Gamma shaped marking is present at the top of head which starts from the middle of eyes and cover the posterior region of upper lips. Large brown colored eyes have vertical pupil, these give appearance of Cat's eyes and so the name Cat snake.

Tail:

Long and thin tail typically like other tree snakes with a pointed tip. Dorsal body patterns found in faint form or may be absent.

Looks close to Saw Scaled Viper (Echis carinatus) and juvenile of Forsten's cat Snake (Boiga forsteni).

BEHAVIOUR

Locomotion is slow. Behaviour shy, elusive and usually calm. On threatening throws half of fore body into loops with head on the top, sometimes jerk its tail also which is followed by mock attacks to keep distance with threatening object or animal. Feeds mainly on lizards. Also feeds on frogs, small rodents, small birds, other snakes.

VENOMOSITY

Harmless.

GENERAL HABITAT

Remain hidden in tree holes, caves, piles, dense vegetation, and cracks at low to moderate heights. Lives both in dense and open forests of hills and plains; also found in undisturbed gardens, rocky hills, scrubs etc.