Beddome’s Cat Snake : Boiga beddomei

Beddome’s Cat Snake is a species of non-venomous colubrid snake found in the Western Ghats of India. It is a slender and agile snake with a small head and large eyes. The body is cylindrical, and the scales are smooth and glossy. The base coloration of the snake is brown or olive, with irregular patches of darker brown or black on the back and sides. The belly is cream-colored or pale yellow, with irregular black markings.

Scalation:

Beddome’s Cat Snake has a distinctive scalation pattern that distinguishes it from other snake species. It has 15 rows of dorsal scales at midbody, which are smooth and shiny. The ventral scales number between 187 and 201, and the subcaudal scales number between 47 and 71. The scales on the head are small and imbricate, and there are 9 supralabial scales and 10-11 sublabial scales. Scalation of Beddome’s Cat Snake (Boiga beddomei):

Beddome’s Cat Snake is a moderately-sized snake, with adults typically reaching lengths of around 70-90 cm (27-35 in). It has a slender and agile body that is well-adapted to hunting small prey. The head is slightly wider than the neck, and the eyes are large and adapted for hunting in low-light conditions. The base coloration is usually brown or olive, with irregular patches of darker brown or black on the back and sides. The belly is cream-colored or pale yellow, with irregular black markings.

Natural History:

Beddome’s Cat Snake is primarily nocturnal and arboreal, spending much of its time in trees and bushes. It is a secretive snake that is rarely seen in the wild and is often mistaken for a venomous snake due to its similar appearance to some of the more dangerous snake species. The diet of Beddome’s Cat Snake consists of small vertebrates, including lizards, frogs, and small birds.

Habitat:

Beddome’s Cat Snake is native to the Western Ghats of India, where it is found in a variety of habitats, including forests, grasslands, and agricultural areas. It is a relatively common snake in its native range, although it is often overlooked due to its secretive nature.

Behavior:

Beddome’s Cat Snake is a relatively docile snake that is not known to be aggressive towards humans. However, like all snakes, it may bite if it feels threatened or cornered. When threatened, Beddome’s Cat Snake will often inflate its body and hiss loudly to deter predators.

Reproduction:

Little is known about the reproductive habits of Beddome’s Cat Snake. It is believed to be oviparous, meaning that it lays eggs rather than giving birth to live young. Clutches may contain up to 10 eggs, although the typical clutch size is likely smaller.

Location:

Beddome’s Cat Snake is native to the Western Ghats of India, where it is found throughout much of its range. It is a relatively common snake in its native range, although it is often overlooked due to its secretive nature.

Venomous or Non-venomous:

Beddome’s Cat Snake is a non-venomous snake and is not considered to be a danger to humans. It is often mistaken for venomous snakes due to its similar appearance to some of the more dangerous snake species. While Beddome’s Cat Snake is not venomous, it is still important to treat it with respect and caution, as all snakes are potentially capable of biting if they feel threatened.

Venom Strength: