The Eastern Cat Snake, also known as the Mauritian Cat Snake, is a species of mildly venomous snake that belongs to the family Colubridae. It has a slender body and a flattened head, with large eyes and round pupils. The snake’s coloration can vary from light brown to greenish-brown, with a series of dark brown or black spots running down its back.
Scalation
Boiga gokool has smooth scales and the number of ventral scales ranges from 203-217 while subcaudal scales range from 98-115. The dorsal scales are arranged in 19 rows. The details of the scalation of the Eastern Cat Snake (Boiga gokool):
- The number of ventral scales ranges from 203-217.
- The subcaudal scales range from 98-115.
- The dorsal scales are arranged in 19 rows.
- The scales are smooth to the touch.
Appearance
The Eastern Cat Snake can grow up to 1.5 meters (5 feet) in length, with females being slightly larger than males. Its body is slender and cylindrical, with a distinct neck and a long tail. The snake’s head is flattened and wider than its neck, with large eyes and round pupils. Its body is covered in smooth scales, and it has a series of dark brown or black spots running down its back. The belly of the snake is usually a lighter color than the rest of its body.
Natural History
The Eastern Cat Snake is primarily active at night and feeds on a variety of prey including rodents, birds, lizards, and frogs. It is an arboreal species and can often be found climbing trees and shrubs in search of food. The snake is generally not aggressive and will only bite in self-defense.
Habitat
The Eastern Cat Snake is found in Mauritius, an island nation in the Indian Ocean. It is typically found in forested areas, but can also be found in gardens, parks, and other urban areas.
Behavior
The Eastern Cat Snake is a nocturnal species and is most active at night. During the day, it will often hide in trees or shrubs to avoid predators. The snake is generally not aggressive and will usually only bite in self-defense. If threatened, it may puff up its body and make a hissing sound to warn off predators.
Reproduction
The Eastern Cat Snake is oviparous, meaning that it lays eggs. Females typically lay 3-8 eggs at a time, which hatch after a period of around 60-70 days. The young snakes are around 25-30cm (10-12 inches) in length when they hatch and are able to fend for themselves.
Location
The Eastern Cat Snake is found only on the island of Mauritius, which is located in the Indian Ocean.
Venomous or non-venomous
The Eastern Cat Snake is mildly venomous, but its venom is not considered dangerous to humans. The snake’s venom is primarily used to immobilize its prey, and is not strong enough to cause serious harm to humans.
The Eastern Cat Snake (Boiga gokool) is a slender, mildly venomous snake found only on the island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. It has a flattened head, large eyes, and a series of dark spots running down its back. The snake is primarily active at night and feeds on a variety of prey. It is generally not aggressive and will only bite in self-defense. The Eastern Cat Snake is oviparous and lays eggs, with the young snakes hatching after around 60-70 days. Its venom is mild and not considered dangerous to humans.
