Cat Snakes

Cat snakes of the Boiga family have elliptical pupils that resemble those of felines. They are nocturnal and arboreal with a wide distribution across Southeast Asia. Under different times of the day, cat snakes can widen or shorten their pupils to filter or absorb more light. Although arboreal, most species will also descend to the ground in search of prey. In Peninsular Malaysia, they are six known Boiga species. Although some literature list the Siamese species of Boiga multomaculata as a local species, it is highly questionable from the author's experience, as personal surveys have yielded no such evidence. In Southeast Asia, cat snakes can also be found widely across Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and Borneo.

All cat snakes are rear-fanged, possessing venom with toxic compounds according to contemporary research. However, their method of venom delivery through the rear fangs (Opisthoglyph) causes only very minute quantities to be secreted at each time, rarely resulting in severe envenomations. Regardless, a bite from a cat snake is still painful and does indeed cause swelling if the snake has been allowed a time to chew. The Boiga family occupies a wide range of rainforest habitats.