Boiga jaspidea

{{Short description|Species of snake}}

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{{speciesbox

| image = Boiga jaspidea, Jasper cat snake.jpg

| image_caption = At Khao Luang National Park

| status = LC

| status_system = IUCN3.1

| status_ref = {{cite iucn |author=Grismer, L. |author2=Chan-Ard, T. |year=2012 |title=Boiga jaspidea |volume=2012 |page=e.T192018A2028688 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012-1.RLTS.T192018A2028688.en |access-date=7 January 2025}}

| genus = Boiga

| species = jaspidea

| authority = (Duméril, Bibron & Duméril, 1854)

| synonyms = {{specieslist

|Triglyphodon jaspideum |Duméril, Bibron & Duméril, 1854

|Dipsas jaspidea |Jan, 1863

|Dipsadomorphus jaspideus |Boulenger, 1896

}}

| range_map = Boiga jaspidea distribution.png

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Boiga jaspidea, commonly known as the jasper cat snake, is a species of rear-fanged colubrid that is uncommon throughout its range.

Description

Its small and slender body is reddish to chocolate brown, but rich black and white speckles cover the entire body except for the ventrals, which are yellow. In addition, there are faint black lateral bars, and white spots on the ventrolateral area. Its maximum length is 1.5 m (4.9 feet).

Geographic range

Habitat and behavior

The jasper cat snake lives in arboreal habitats in tropical forests, and sometimes among low-lying shrubs. It has been reported to lay up to three eggs in termite nests. Little else is known about this elusive snake.

Diet

The jasper cat snake feeds on geckos and other smaller snakes in the wild.

References

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