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mangrove snake
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Black-and-yellow mangrove snake (Boiga dendrophila) with bold yellow bands on glossy black scales, coiled around a tree branch against a blurred green background. Brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis) Black-and-yellow mangrove snake (Boiga dendrophila)
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Also called:
cat-eyed snake or cat snake
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Black-and-yellow mangrove snake (Boiga dendrophila) with bold yellow bands on glossy black scales, coiled around a tree branch against a blurred green background.
Mangrove snake The venomous black-and-yellow mangrove snake (Boiga dendrophila) can be found from the Malay Peninsula to the Philippines.

mangrove snake

reptile
Also known as: Boiga, cat snake, cat-eyed snake
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History
Brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis)
Brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis)

mangrove snake, (genus Boiga), any of about 30 species (family Colubridae) of weakly venomous, rear-fanged snakes, ranging from South Asia to Australia. They are at home on the ground and in trees; many catch birds at night. Because they have elliptical pupils and may be green-eyed, they are sometimes referred to as cat or cat-eyed snakes (see also cat snake).

The head is broad and triangular, and the body ranges from long and slender to moderately stout. Most Boiga species attain lengths of 1.5 meters (about 5 feet) and are strongly arboreal, although they are also highly mobile on the ground. Juveniles commonly prey on lizards, and adults regularly prey on rodents. Birds are the main prey for some species. Mangrove snakes are egg layers that produce modest clutches of 4–12 eggs.

Black-and-yellow mangrove snake (Boiga dendrophila)
Black-and-yellow mangrove snake (Boiga dendrophila)A black-and-yellow mangrove snake sticking out its forked tongue. A snake uses its tongue to deliver heavy airborne odor particles to its Jacobson organ.

The black-and-yellow mangrove snake (B. dendrophila), which can be found from the Malay Peninsula to the Philippines, is black with narrow yellow bars, yellow lips, and a yellow throat. It may grow to a length of 2.5 meters (about 8 feet). The brown tree snake (B. irregularis) is considered to be one of the most aggressive invasive species in the world.

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The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Melissa Petruzzello.