Thai National Parks

Many-spotted cat snake

Binomial name: Boiga multomaculata (Friedrich Boie, 1827)

Also called the many-spotted cat snake, large-spotted cat snake and marbled cat-eyed snake, Boiga multomaculata, is a species of rear-fanged colubrid snakes of the genus Boiga.

Description

Dorsally it is gray-brown, with two alternating series of round dark brown, reddish-brown or chestnut-colored spots and two other series of smaller spots on the lower sides. On the head it has two blackish bands which diverge posteriorly. There is a blackish streak from the eye to the corner of the mouth. Ventrally it is whitish, marbled or spotted with brown, and there is a series of brown spots along each side. Adults may attain 77 cm (30 in.) in total length.

Geographic range and Distribution

The snake is found in a wide variety of locales, including areas of Western Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, India (Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Miao - Changlang district), Southern China (incl. Hong Kong and Hainan), Indonesia (Java, Sulawesi, Sumatra, Borneo), Bangladesh, Cambodia, Laos, and Singapore.

Behavior

A very secretive snake, it hides in hollows and cracks of tree trunks during the day. Unlike most boigas, this species is a cathemeral snake, with which it is active at both day and night. It's quite nervous and will scuttle away at the slight disturbance. They rarely bite, however. It prefers rocky crevices and thin branches that are in plain sight.

Feeding Habits

Mostly observed hunting just before daybreak, it primarily feeds on lizards such as geckos and small skinks but they will also eat lizard eggs. This snake also frequents branches that are overhanging a water source, thus it may also devour fish in the process.

Venom

Being a rear-fanged snake, it is mildly venomous. The effects are the same as most boiga species but because of its size, it never poses any threat. There are no known or recorded fatalities as well.

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Many-spotted cat snake is found in following locations in Thailand

Please note that this non-official list is not complete nor necessarily accurate. This list is a summary of checklists from other websites, blogs, publications, photo/videos published on various websites or our own findings. We appreciate your contributions with photo proof.

• Cha-Am District
• Doi Suthep-Pui National Park
• Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary
• Kaeng Krachan District
• Kaeng Krachan National Park
• Khao Soi Dao Wildlife Sanctuary
• Mueang Chonburi District
• Pang Sida National Park
• Phu Kradueng National Park
• Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary
• Tha Yang District
• Thap Lan National Park
• Wang Nam Khiao District
• Watthana Nakhon District