Square-headed cat snake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Square-headed cat snake |
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| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Colubridae |
| Genus: | Boiga |
| Species: |
B. kraepelini
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| Binomial name | |
| Boiga kraepelini Stejneger, 1902
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The Boiga kraepelini, also known as the square-headed cat snake, Kelung cat snake, or Taiwanese tree snake, is a type of snake found in East and Southeast Asia. It lives in places like Taiwan, China, Vietnam, and Laos. This snake is mildly venomous. It belongs to the family called Colubridae.
The name kraepelini honors a German naturalist named Karl Kraepelin. The common name "Kelung cat snake" comes from Keelung, a place in northern Taiwan where this snake was first found.
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What Does It Look Like?
The Boiga kraepelini is a long, thin snake. It can grow up to 160 centimeters (about 5 feet 3 inches) long, including its tail. Its head and eyes are quite large. The head is about twice as wide as its neck.
Like other snakes in its group, it has pupils that look like a cat's eye. The snake's body and tail are usually amber, brown, or copper-brown. It often has irregular brown or dark bands across its back.
Reproduction
The Boiga kraepelini is an oviparous snake. This means the female snake lays eggs. In the summer, a female snake will lay between 5 and 14 eggs in one group, called a clutch.
Behavior and Venom
This snake can be quite active if it feels threatened. When it's scared, it might coil up. It can also strike out quickly, much like a viper snake.
The venom of the Boiga kraepelini is not very well understood. However, it is considered to be only mildly venomous. This means its bite is not usually dangerous to humans.
Where It Lives
The Boiga kraepelini is found in many places. It lives all over Taiwan, up to 1,000 meters (about 3,300 feet) above sea level. It also lives in large parts of eastern, central, and southern China. You can find it in provinces like Anhui, Chongqing, and Guangdong. It is also present in Laos and northern Vietnam.
This snake lives in both natural forests and forests that have grown back. It is often seen near villages.
Daily Life and Habits
The Boiga kraepelini is a nocturnal snake. This means it is most active at night. It spends most of its time in trees, so it is called an arboreal snake. However, it might come down to the ground to cross roads.
It hunts for its food at night. This snake mainly eats small birds and lizards. Sometimes, it will also eat bird eggs.
Conservation Status
The Boiga kraepelini is a common snake and is found in many areas. While it is widespread, sometimes its habitat can be lost. This can happen due to human activities. However, it lives in many protected areas, which helps keep its populations safe.
 | Kyle Baker |
 | Joseph Yoakum |
 | Laura Wheeler Waring |
 | Henry Ossawa Tanner |
