Boiga nigriceps
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Black-Headed Cat Snake | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Colubridae |
| Genus: | Boiga |
| Species: | B. nigriceps |
| Binomial name | |
| Boiga nigriceps (Günther, 1863) | |
 | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Dipsas nigriceps Günther, 1863 | |
Boiga nigriceps (black-headed cat snake) is a species of colubrid snake from South-East Asia.[1][2][3] They are large snakes; adults may attain a total length of 1.75 m (5+1⁄2 ft).[4]
It gets its name from the greenish to blackish coloration of its head. Neonates and juveniles do not exhibit this dark color on the head until adulthood. The body color ranges greatly from brown, orange, red, and even black. The ventral region of the snake is yellowish below the neck and white for the rest.[citation needed]
Subspecies
Two subspecies are recognized:[2]
- Boiga nigriceps nigriceps (Günther, 1863)
- Boiga nigriceps brevicauda Smith, 1926
Distribution
Habitat
The black-headed cat snake is arboreal,[1] but frequently comes down to the ground in search of prey. They occupy lowland and mid-elevation tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia.
