Boiga drapiezii

White-spotted cat snake
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Boiga
Species:
B. drapiezii
Binomial name
Boiga drapiezii
(F. Boie, 1827)
Synonyms[2]

Boiga drapiezii, commonly known as Drapiez's cat snake and the white-spotted cat snake, is a species of long and slender rear-fanged snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to Maritime Southeast Asia and is common throughout its range.

Etymology[edit]

The epithet, drapiezii, is in honor of Belgian naturalist Auguste Drapiez.[3]

Description[edit]

There are two known phases of B. drapiezii. The green phase has a marbled green body with a more robust head and width. The brown phase is much more slender with orange brown triangle-like bands across the body.[citation needed] This species is in need of urgent review, with possibly subspecies awaiting discovery and subsequent description.[citation needed]

Geographic range[edit]

B. drapiezii is found in Borneo, Indonesia, Peninsular Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand, Vietnam.[1]

Habitat[edit]

The preferred natural habitat of B. drapiezii is forest, at altitudes of 80–900 m (260–2,950 ft).[1]

Behavior[edit]

The white-spotted cat snake is nocturnal and arboreal.[1] It can often be found moving about on the forest floor in search of prey and travel.[citation needed] It is found in tropical rainforest, sometimes on branches near streams.[citation needed]

Diet[edit]

In the wild, the white-spotted cat snake preys upon frogs, geckos, and other small lizards,[1] as well as insects, birds, and bird eggs.[4]

Reproduction[edit]

B. drapiezii is oviparous.[2]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e Grismer L, Chan-Ard T, Ananjeva NB, Orlov NL, Dehling M (2013). "Boiga drapiezii ". The IUCN Red List of Threatened species 2013: https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T192020A44271014.en. Accessed on 16 September 2022.
  2. ^ a b Species Boiga drapiezii at The Reptile Database www.reptile-database.org.
  3. ^ Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Boiga drapiezii, p. 75).
  4. ^ Das I (2006).

Further reading[edit]

  • Boie F (1827). "Bemerkungen über Merrem's Versuch eines Systems der Amphibien, 1. Lieferung: Ophidier ". Isis von Oken, Jena 20: 508–566. (Dipsas drapiezii H. Boie, new species, p. 549). (in German and Latin).
  • Boulenger GA (1896). Catalogue of the Snakes in the British Museum (Natural History). Volume III., Containing the Colubridæ (Opisthoglyphæ and Proteroglyphæ) ... London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers). xiv + 727 pp. + Plates I-XXV. (Dipsadomorphus drapiezii, pp. 74–75).
  • Das I (2006). A Photographic Guide to Snakes and other Reptiles of Borneo. Sanibel Island, Florida: Ralph Curtis Books. 144 pp. ISBN 0-88359-061-1. (Boiga drapiezii, p. 23).

External links[edit]