Mangrove snake
Boiga dendrophila
The mangrove snake is also called the gold-ringed cat snake and is the largest species of cat snake. Cat snakes belong to a group of venomous snakes called rear fanged snakes. In most venomous snakes the fangs are hollow and glands help to inject venom through the hollow fangs like a hypodermic syringe.
Rear fanged snakes’ fangs have grooves and the venom is released slowly as the snake chews its prey. The mangrove snake’s venom is quite weak. The longer the bite, the more toxic it will be. They can be confused with the deadly, venomous banded krait.
The Mangrove snake can be up to 240 centimetres long. It can be found in the zoo’s Reptile House.
IUCN Status
The Mangrove snake has not been evaluated by the IUCN.
For more info on classifications visit www.iucnredlist.org (link opens in new window).
Fun fact
Their venom is not lethal to humans
Animal class
Reptile
Conservation status
The mangrove snake has not yet been evaluation by the IUCN, however it is threatened by habitat loss and the pet trade.
Habitat
Forest – found in forests and swamps in South East Asia
Population
Unknown
Diet
Carnivore – eats frogs, lizards, eggs, fish and other small animals