Western Mangrove Cat Snake (Boiga melanota)

The Western Mangrove Cat Snake (Boiga melanota) is a strikingly beautiful, rear-fanged colubrid snake found in mangrove forests, coastal swamps, and lowland rainforests of Southeast Asia, particularly in Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia. It is known for its glossy black body contrasted by vivid yellow crossbands, giving it a boldly banded appearance. This nocturnal and arboreal species is mildly venomous, using its venom primarily to subdue small prey such as lizards, birds, and frogs. While not considered dangerous to humans, its rear-fanged delivery system means bites can cause localized reactions in some cases. Boiga melanota is an agile climber and an important predator in mangrove ecosystems, helping to maintain ecological balance among smaller vertebrates.