Boiga kraepelini
| Boiga kraepelini | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Colubridae |
| Subfamily: | Colubrinae |
| Genus: | Boiga |
| Species: | B. kraepelini |
| Binomial name | |
| Boiga kraepelini Stejneger, 1902 | |
 | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Dipsadomorphus kraepelini (Stejneger, 1902) | |
Boiga kraepelini, commonly known as the square-headed cat snake, Kelung cat snake,[1] or Taiwanese tree snake[2] is a species is a species of mildly venomous colubrid snake found in East and Southeast Asia (Taiwan, China, Vietnam, and Laos).[1][3][4] Its specific name kraepelini honours Karl Kraepelin, a German naturalist.[4] The common name Kelung cat snake refers to its type locality, Keelung in northern Taiwan.[3]
Description
Boiga kraepelini is a long and thin snake that can grow to a total length of 160 cm (63 in). Its head and eyes are large (the head is twice the width of the neck), hence the Chinese name meaning "big-headed snake" (simplified Chinese: 大头蛇; traditional Chinese: 大頭蛇; pinyin: dàtóushé). The pupils are cat-like, as is typical for the genus. The colouration of the upper body and tail is usually amber or brown to copper brown, with irregular brown to diffuse black cross bands along the vertebral line.[4]
It is oviparous.[1][3][4] Females lay 5–14 eggs per clutch in summer.[4]
Boiga kraepelini can be quite aggressive, forming a defensive coil and striking in a viper-like fashion when threatened. The properties of the venom are poorly known, but it is considered only mildly venomous.[4]
Distribution
Boiga kraepelini is found throughout Taiwan to 1,000 m (3,300 ft) asl,[4] large parts of eastern, central, and southern China (Anhui, Chongqing, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Hunan, Jiangxi, Sichuan, and Zhejiang provinces), Laos, and northern Vietnam.[1][3]
Habitat and ecology
It inhabits both primary and secondary forest habitats, often near villages.[1] It is a nocturnal snake that is largely arboreal, although it may descend to the ground to cross roads. It preys upon small birds and lizards, and sometimes bird eggs.[4]
Conservation
Boiga kraepelini is a widespread and common species. It can be locally threatened by habitat loss. It occurs in many protected areas.[1]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Zhou, Z. & Lau, M. (2012). "Boiga kraepelini". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN. 2012: e.T192094A2038969. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
- ↑ Dieckmann, Simon; Gerrut Norval and Jean-Jay Mao (2010). "A record of the Taiwanese tree snake (Boiga kraepelini Stejneger, 1902) as prey of the many-banded krait Bungarus multicinctus multicinctus Blyth, 1861" (PDF). Herpetology Notes. 3: 291–292.
- 1 2 3 4 Boiga kraepelini at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 29 November 2015.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Hans Breuer & William Christopher Murphy (2009–2010). "Boiga kraepelini". Snakes of Taiwan. Retrieved 29 November 2015.