The mangrove snake (Boiga dendrophila) can be popularly called the yellow-ringed kitty Snake, gold-ringed kitty snake or even mangrove cat snake. That is a 9 subspecies recognized.
All these rear-fanged colubrid snakes are observed in northeast Asia, also believed to be somewhat venomous, rather than considered dangerous to people.
The mangrove snakes have been located in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia and Philippines.
They belong into the Boiga genus, the cat-eyed cat or snakes snakes, that this particular genus of the family Colubridae is constituted of over 30 species. They’re among the greatest cat snake species, averaging between 8 and 6 ft (1.8 to 2.4 m) in length.
The mangrove snake body is jet black and coated with thin yellowish and equally spaced stripes, occasionally these rings meet on peak of the human body. The neck and chin surface are bright yellow, and also the interior of the mouth is whitish, similar to the cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus).
They have big eyes with vertical pupils much like those of cats, so it is clear where a number of the ordinary names derive from.
Regardless of their shared name the mangrove snake occupies coastal equally subtropical forests and mangrove swamps discovered during their tropical and tropical selection. These snakes are available both near brackish or new water bodies.
All these snakes are mostly active during the night daily that they lie back on overhanging tree branches.The mangrove snake is also an extremely competent swimmer.
The majority of snakes are occasionally misidentified and confused with all the mortal Banded Krait (Bungarus fasciatus) in which their range overlaps.
Mangrove Snake Species
In this species such as in several other snakes, there is some disagreement regarding the true amount of subspecies, which range from 8 and 10 known subspecies.
Some investigators have recommended that specific subspecies be raised to full species status, though other scientists believe that more subspecies have to be comprehended.
All these will be the 9 subspecies usually known as being legitimate by scientists.
Boiga dendrophila dendrophila (F. Boie, 1827) — Located at Indonesia Java island.
Boiga dendrophila annectens (Boulenger, 1896) — Located in Indonesia Kalimantan area, Brunei and East Malaysia.
Boiga dendrophila divergens (Taylor, 1922) — Located in the Philippines Luzon and Polillo islands.
Boiga dendrophila gemmicincta (A.M.C. Duméril, Bibron & A.H.A. Duméril, 1854) — Located at Indonesian Sulawesi island.
Boiga dendrophila latifasciata (Boulenger, 1896) — Located in the Philippines Mindanao island.
Boiga dendrophila levitoni (Gaulke, Demegillo, G. Vogel, 2005) — Located at Panay island, and most likely in different areas of the West Visayas area.
Boiga dendrophila melanota (Boulenger, 1896) — Located in southern Thailand, West Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesian Sumatra island.
Boiga dendrophila multicincta (Boulenger, 1896) — Located at Philippines Balabac island.
Boiga dendrophila occidentalis (Brongersma, 1934) — Located at Indonesia.
Mangrove Snake Venom
The mangrove snake is an rear-fanged species and believed only mildly poisonous, and there’s not been a confirmed human fatality.
Contrary to pit vipers or cobras rear-fanged snake venom delivery method does not have a highly improved venom receptor, duct process or venom fangs. The mangrove snake just contains slightly enlarged back teeth that have to purify the skin to permit venom to go into the wound.
All these”fangs” have hooks and therefore so are angled backward, so which makes marginally simpler for the venom to put in the bite .
However, their fangs are little inject, and then also making it challenging to produce a sting on a single leg or arm. Occasionally to effectively transfer the venom into a little animal they really have to chew in their prey.
Mild envenomations in people leading to wounds, skin discoloration, even bleeding that was powerful and swelling are reported. Despite the fact that these seem to be snakes that are beatiful a few specimens will bite and possess an character.
As with other venomous snakes there is continuing research of its venom. Ultimately it possibly utilized to produce therapies to cardiovascular disease or cancer, also one day can save lives.
Mangrove Snake Diet
The snakes becomes more busy at night descending overhanging branches.
They are predators that feed on frogs, small birds and their eggs, fish, bats, rodents and feed on other snakes. Snakes prey on frogs or lizards and sometimes slugs. .
It’s extremely effective from the creatures on, although they use their venom it venom could be harmless to people.
Mangrove Snake Reproduction
All these snakes are oviparous, meaning that the mangrove snake is a egg coating species, females lay clutches averaging 4 to 15 eggs which hatch after an incubation period of approximately 12 weeks.
The measure about 35 to 43 cm and then resemble snakes that are mature at design and coloration.
