Tawny Cat Snake
Boiga ochracea
A slender, pale tawny-colored cat snake found in forests from the eastern Himalayan foothills through Southeast Asia.
- Venomous?
- Mildly venomous
- Adult length
- 0.8-1.2 m (2.6-4 ft)
- Range
- South and Southeast Asia (Himalayan foothills to Indochina)
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Overview
The tawny cat snake is a slender, moderately sized member of the genus Boiga, named for its characteristic pale tawny or orange-brown coloration. It is distributed across forested regions from the eastern Himalayan foothills through parts of Southeast Asia.
It is a nocturnal, arboreal predator that is infrequently encountered due to its secretive habits and forest-dependent lifestyle.
As a rear-fanged species, it is mildly venomous, with a bite that is not considered dangerous to humans.
How to identify it
- Slender body, pale tawny, orange-brown, or straw-colored dorsally
- Faint or indistinct darker markings, sometimes with a pattern of pale crossbands
- Broad head distinct from the neck, with vertically elliptical pupils
- Smooth scales
- Pale, often unmarked venter
The overall pale, tawny coloration with subdued patterning helps distinguish it from more boldly blotched cat snake species.
Habitat & range
Found in subtropical and tropical forests from the foothills of the eastern Himalayas through Myanmar, Thailand, and into parts of Indochina. It is arboreal, inhabiting trees and shrubs in relatively undisturbed forest.
It occurs at low to moderate elevations within forested hill country.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Nocturnal, becoming active at night to hunt among branches and vegetation. It is generally secretive, relying on camouflage and avoidance rather than aggressive defense.
Its diet consists of small vertebrates, including lizards and possibly small birds or mammals. It is oviparous, though details of its reproductive biology remain relatively poorly documented.
Frequently asked questions
Is the tawny cat snake venomous?
It is mildly venomous with rear fangs, but not dangerous to humans.
Where is the tawny cat snake found?
It occurs from the eastern Himalayan foothills through Myanmar and Thailand into parts of Indochina.
How can you identify a tawny cat snake?
Look for its slender body with pale tawny or orange-brown coloring and subdued markings.
What does the tawny cat snake eat?
It preys mainly on small lizards and other small vertebrates.
Tawny Cat Snake guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Tawny Cat Snake.
