Cat Snake Spotted in Valmiki Tiger Reserve | 08 Nov 2024
Why in News?
The common cat snake (Boiga trigonata), a rare and minimally venomous species, was recently discovered in Bihar’s Valmiki Tiger Reserve.
Key Points
- About Common Cat Snake:
- Also known as Indian gamma snake, the common cat snake is a species of rear-fanged snake endemic to South Asia.
- Features:
- Thin, long body with smooth, non-glossy scales.
- Greyish-brown dorsal with light zig-zag patterns; whitish belly with tiny spots.
- Triangular head with a distinct Y-pattern on top.
- Large golden eyes with vertical pupils.
- Habitat:
- Found widely across the Indian Subcontinent.
- Inhabits dense and open forests, rocky hills, and scrub jungles.
- Hides in tree holes, crevices, and dense vegetation at low to moderate heights.
- Venom Characteristics:
- Mildly venomous, the snake poses no significant threat to humans but impacts small animals.
- Lifespan: 12-20 years
- Diet: It primarily consists of small vertebrates.
- IUCN Red List: Least Concern.
Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR)
- The VTR is located in Bihar’s West Champaran district, bordering Nepal to its north and Uttar Pradesh to its west. It is the only tiger reserve in Bihar.
- Situated in the Gangetic plains bio-geographic region, the vegetation of this Tiger Reserve is a combination of Bhabar and Terai regions.
- Wild mammals include tiger, sloth bear, leopard, wild dog, bison, wild boar etc.
- Rivers Gandak, Pandai, Manor, Harha, Masan and Bhapsa flow through various parts of the reserve.