Boiga forsteni facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Boiga forsteni |
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Boiga
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forsteni
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The Boiga forsteni, often called the Forsten's cat snake, is a type of snake. It belongs to the Colubridae family. This snake is mildly venomous and has fangs at the back of its mouth. It is found only in South Asia.
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Where the Forsten's Cat Snake Lives
The Forsten's cat snake lives in several countries in South Asia. You can find it in Nepal, Sri Lanka, and many parts of India. In India, it lives in states like Sikkim, West Bengal, Maharashtra, and Kerala. It also lives in Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh. Other Indian states where it's found include Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, southern Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and Jharkhand.
Why It's Called Forsten's Cat Snake
The snake's scientific name, forsteni, honors a Dutch naturalist. His name was Eltio Alegondas Forsten. He lived from 1811 to 1843.
What the Forsten's Cat Snake Looks Like
The Forsten's cat snake has a body that is a bit flat on the sides. It is usually brown on top. It often has black stripes that look like angles across its body. Sometimes, there are white spots between these black stripes.
It also has a black band that goes from its head to its neck. There's another black band on each side, behind its eyes. The underside of the snake is white. It might have brown spots or be plain white.
This snake can grow quite long. Some have been measured at about 4 feet 10 inches (1.47 m) long. The longest ones can reach up to 2.3 m (7.5 ft) in total length.
Where It Likes to Live
Forsten's cat snakes prefer certain places to live. They like forests that are not too high up. They also live in farm areas.
How It Behaves
This snake is active at night. This means it is nocturnal. It also spends a lot of time in trees. This behavior is called arboreal.
What It Eats
The Forsten's cat snake is a hunter. It eats a variety of animals. Its diet includes lizards and other snakes. It also preys on birds, bats, and rodents.
About Its Venom
Like other snakes in the Boiga group, the Forsten's cat snake has a mild venom. This means its venom is not usually dangerous to humans.
How It Reproduces
The Forsten's cat snake lays eggs. This makes it an oviparous species. Female snakes that are old enough to reproduce lay between 5 and 10 eggs. In India, they usually lay their eggs in August and September.
