Many-banded Cat Snake (Boiga multifasciata) is a species of non-venomous colubrid snake found in Southeast Asia. It is a relatively small and slender snake that preys on small vertebrates, including lizards and frogs. Many-banded Cat Snake has a slender body with a small, pointed head and large eyes. The scales are smooth and glossy, giving the snake a shiny appearance. The base coloration is brown or gray, with thin, light-colored bands that run horizontally across the body. These bands are often broken or interrupted, giving the snake a distinctive appearance. The belly is cream-colored, with irregular black markings.
Scalation
Many-banded 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 glossy. The ventral scales number between 198 and 224, and the subcaudal scales number between 50 and 75. The scales on the head are small and imbricate, and there are 9 supralabial scales and 10-11 sublabial scales. The scalation of Many-banded Cat Snake (Boiga multifasciata):
- Dorsal scales: Many-banded Cat Snake has 15 rows of smooth and glossy dorsal scales at midbody.
- Ventral scales: The number of ventral scales on Many-banded Cat Snake can vary between 198 and 225.
- Subcaudal scales: The number of subcaudal scales on Many-banded Cat Snake can vary between 68 and 87.
- Head scales: The scales on the head of Many-banded Cat Snake are small and imbricate, meaning they overlap each other like shingles on a roof.
- Supralabial scales: Many-banded Cat Snake has 9 supralabial scales, which are the scales on the upper lip.
- Sublabial scales: Many-banded Cat Snake has 10-11 sublabial scales, which are the scales on the lower lip.
Appearance
Many-banded Cat Snake is a relatively small and slender snake that is well-adapted to hunting small prey. It has a distinctive head that is slightly wider than the neck, and large eyes that are adapted for hunting in low-light conditions. The base coloration is brown or gray, with thin, light-colored bands that run horizontally across the body. These bands are often broken or interrupted, giving the snake a distinctive appearance. The belly is cream-colored, with irregular black markings.
Natural History
Many-banded Cat Snake is primarily arboreal, spending much of its time in trees and bushes. It is a diurnal and nocturnal snake, meaning that it is active during both day and night. 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 Many-banded Cat Snake consists of small vertebrates, including lizards and frogs.
Habitat
Many-banded Cat Snake is found in a variety of habitats, including forests, grasslands, and agricultural areas. It is native to Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
Behavior
Many-banded 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, the snake will often inflate its body and hiss loudly to deter predators.
Reproduction
Little is known about the reproductive habits of Many-banded 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 8 eggs, although the typical clutch size is likely smaller.
Location
Many-banded Cat Snake is native to Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. It is found throughout much of its range, although it is often overlooked due to its secretive nature.
Venomous or Non-venomous
Many-banded Cat Snake is a non-venomous snake and is not considered to be a danger to humans. While the 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
As mentioned earlier, Many-banded Cat Snake is a non-venomous species, meaning it doesn’t produce any venom that is harmful to humans.
