Mangrove Snakes
- Boiga dendrophila spp
Description
Boiga dendrophila melanota is a robust, large triangular shaped colubrid. The head of B.d.melanota is blunt, and very distinct from its neck. As babies, the eyes appear much too large for its head. B.d.melanota is commonly known as Mangrove Snake, Mangrove Cat Snake and Indonesian Cat Eye Snake. B.d. melanota get to an average of 5-6' but a near 9' male has been documented. These nocturnal, arboreal snakes have a brilliant black background with bright yellow triangular bands along side of their body, as well as the lower jaw and neck region. Each labial scale is yellow with a black border line around them. B.d. melanota is one of many rear-fanged colubrids, but easily one of the prettiest.
Range
B.d. melanota are found in Cambodia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, West Malaysia and Vietnam.
Feeding
Food is somewhat of a problem with B.d.melanota. In my experience and with what I have heard from others keepers is that they are very problematic. Basically, they will only eat on their terms. My male went through phases of ravenous feeding, and then suddenly stop to a point where I had to tease feed him which can take up to 2 hours. On the rare occasion it was bad enough to where I had to cut the arms and legs off the mouse or rat otherwise he would regurge if he felt the arms touch his mouth. In any case with mine I had to freeze when he started to eat, and this is with a CBB individual. Over the past few years he decided food is awesome, and now will eagerly take chicks and small rats no problem. Both of my melanota are on a chick diet now
Naturally they will mainly feed on birds and other reptiles but will take rodents once accustomed to it.
Temperament
To make it short and sweet, I dont trust them. They are the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde of the snake world. Especially at night; just walking by the enclosure I hear my male striking at me, where as in the day time I can sometimes handle him without worries.
Venom
B.d.melanota venom is a denmotoxin, a 3 Finger Toxin which can cause serious pain, swelling and bruising. Denmotoxins are bird specific, being fatal, or near fatal making it easier for Boiga to eat.
Breeding
For me it was straight to the point. I put them together, they did their thing, waited 2 months and got 4 wonderful eggs for my first time. Boiga have a crazy long gestation/incubation period... Incubation alone is around 110 days! Just be careful when pairing...they have a cannibalistic tendency.
Husbandry
I would give an adult Mangrove no less than a 4'x2'x3' (LWH) enclosure. They move around tons at night using every bit of branch and ground space. I keep my Boiga at a 80-88F ambient with a 90F basking spot. Humidity is allowed to fluctuate from 60-80% with a heavy misting in the evening. I provide water bowls for everyone, but I have never seen them used as they tend to drink water drops from their coils.
Misc
There are several different species/subspecies within the genus Boiga. Most common one is B.d.melanota following closely with B.d. dendrophila and B. cyanea. A few species examples include B.nigriceps, B.irregularis, B.d.gemmicincta and B.d.divergens. All Boiga have the same basic husbandry. Keep in mind that Boiga are known to be cannibalistic, so keep them separate from each other.
-Ashley Dezan