Thai National Parks

Species of Thailand

Drapiez's cat snake

Boiga drapiezii

(Heinrich Boie in Friedrich Boie, 1827)

In Thai: งูดงคา, ngu dong ka

Boiga drapiezii, commonly known as Drapiez's cat snake and the white-spotted cat snake, is a species of long and slender rear-fanged snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to Maritime Southeast Asia and is common throughout its range.

Etymology

The epithet, drapiezii, is in honor of Belgian naturalist Auguste Drapiez.

Description

There are two known phases of B. drapiezii. The green phase has a marbled green body with a more robust head and width. The brown phase is much more slender with orange brown triangle-like bands across the body. This species is in need of urgent review, with possibly subspecies awaiting discovery and subsequent description.

Geographic range

B. drapiezii is found in Borneo, Indonesia, Peninsular Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand, Vietnam.

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of B. drapiezii is forest, at altitudes of 80 – 900 m.

Behavior

The white-spotted cat snake is nocturnal and arboreal. It can often be found moving about on the forest floor in search of prey and travel. It is found in tropical rainforest, sometimes on branches near streams.

Diet

In the wild, the white-spotted cat snake preys upon frogs, geckos, and other small lizards, as well as insects, birds, and bird eggs.

Reproduction

B. drapiezii is oviparous.

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Site notes

* A specimen of this species found in Kaeng Krachan National Park by a  herper in December 2015. Photo shown to Ton Smits and ID confirmed by an expert.

Scientific classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Subphylum
Vertebrata
Class
Reptilia
Order
Squamata
Suborder
Serpentes
Family
Colubridae
Genus
Boiga
Species
Boiga drapiezii

Common names

  • German: Weissflecken-Katzennatter
  • English:
    • Drapiez's cat snake
    • White-spotted cat snake
  • Thai: งูดงคา, ngu dong ka

Synonyms

  • Boiga drapiezii, Van Stanley Bartholomew Wallach et al. (2014)
  • Boiga drapiezii, Jelmer Groen (2008)
  • Boiga drapiezii, Merel J. Cox et al. (1998)
  • Boiga drapiezii, Ulrich Manthey & Wolfgang Grossmann (1997)
  • Boiga drapiezii, Michael Wilmer Forbes Tweedie (1950)
  • Boiga schultzei, Edward Harrison Taylor (1923)
  • Boiga drapiezii, Thomas Barbour (1912)
  • Dipsadomorphus drapiezii, George Albert Boulenger (1896)
  • Dipsas drapiezii var. bancana, Wilhelm Karl Hartwich Peters (1867)
  • Triglyphodon drapiezii, André Marie Constant Duméril & Gabriel Bibron (1854)

Conservation status

Least Concern (IUCN3.1)

Least Concern (IUCN3.1)

Photos

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Boiga drapiezii - Khlong Bang Yai Forest Park
Boiga drapiezii - Bang Lang National Park
Boiga drapiezii - Bang Lang National Park
Boiga drapiezii (juvenile) - Hala-Bala Wildlife Sanctuary
Boiga drapiezii (juvenile) - Bang Lang National Park
Boiga drapiezii (juvenile) - Bang Lang National Park
Boiga drapiezii distribution

Range Map

Distribution map of Drapiez's cat snake, Boiga drapiezii in Thailand
  • Bang Lang National Park
  • Hala-Bala Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Kaeng Krachan National Park
  • Kathu District, Phuket
  • Khao Chong
  • Khao Lak - Lam Ru National Park
  • Khao Luang National Park
  • Khao Phra - Bang Khram Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Khao Sok National Park
  • Khlong Nakha Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Khok Pho District, Pattani
  • Kui Buri National Park
  • Lam Thap District, Krabi
  • Rattaphum District, Songkhla
  • Sirindhorn Peat Swamp Forest
  • Sri Phang-nga National Park
  • Srinagarindra District, Phatthalung
  • Thalang District, Phuket
  • Ton Nga-Chang Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Waeng District, Narathiwat
Range map of Boiga drapiezii in Thailand