Indian gamma snake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Indian gamma snake |
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| Common cat snake from Raigad | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Boiga
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| Species: |
trigonata
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| Synonyms | |
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The Boiga trigonata, often called the Indian gamma snake or common cat snake, is a fascinating snake. It's a type of colubrid snake, which means it's part of a very large family of snakes. This snake is "rear-fanged," meaning its fangs are located at the back of its mouth. It is found only in South Asia.
Contents
What Does the Common Cat Snake Look Like?
The common cat snake has a slender body. Its eyes are about the same size as the distance from its nose. The scales on its head and body have special patterns.
Body Color and Patterns
This snake usually has a yellowish-olive or pale grey color on its back. It has a cool white zigzag band along its head, outlined in black. You might also see two brown bands on its back that are edged with black. Its belly is white, sometimes with small brown spots along the sides.
Size of the Snake
The common cat snake can grow to be about 3 feet (91 cm) long. Its tail makes up about 7 inches (18 cm) of its total length.
Where Do Common Cat Snakes Live?
The Boiga trigonata is found across a wide area in Asia. It lives in the region between Persia and Baluchistan.
Countries Where They Are Found
You can find this snake in many countries. These include Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Iran.
A specific type of this snake, called melanocephala, is found in Pakistan. Scientists sometimes consider this a different kind of snake or just a color variation.
How the Common Cat Snake Protects Itself: Mimicry
The common cat snake uses a clever trick to stay safe. This trick is called mimicry. Mimicry is when one animal looks like another, usually more dangerous, animal.
Looking Like a Dangerous Snake
The Boiga trigonata looks a lot like a venomous snake called Echis carinatus, also known as the saw-scaled viper. They have similar colors and body shapes. This is very helpful for the common cat snake because the saw-scaled viper is dangerous. Predators might think the common cat snake is also venomous and leave it alone.
These two snakes live in many of the same places in India. This makes the mimicry even more effective.
Images for kids
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Common cat snake in Lonand, Maharashtra
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Common cat snake in Satara, Maharashtra
