Scales in 28 longitudinal rows at midbody; vertebral scales enlarged; subcaudals 122 to 157. Standard length: [males] 1250 mm; [females] 1300 mm; tail length: [males] 397 mm, [females] 383 mm. (Text taken from Leviton, 1970)
This species is widely distributed in Southeast Asia, and is recognized to occur across Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippine islands, as well as Singapore, India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos. In the Philippines, this species has been documented from the islands of Basilan, Culion, Dinagat, Leyte, Luzon, Mindanao, Palawan, Polillo, Sibutu, and Panay, as well as the Sulu Archipelago.
Palawan, Luzon, Visayan (central), and Mindanao Pleistocene Aggregate Island Complexes (PAIC; Brown and Diesmos, 2002) as well as the Sulu Archipelago.
Standard length: [males] 1250 mm; [females] 1300 mm; tail length: [males] 397 mm, [females] 383 mm. (Measurements taken from Leviton, 1970)
Sumatra; type stored in the Leiden Museum
Kroon (1973) investigated morphological variation in the genus Boiga, a group of largely arboreal Southeast Asian snakes, and concluded that the name Boiga cynodon was being applied to two distinct species. The name was properly applied to snakes in the Philippines, Borneo, Java, and Sumatra and in the Malay Peninsula north to the Isthmus of Kra. North of the Isthmus of Kra in the Malay Peninsula, east to Vietnam, and north and west to Bengal and Assam is a second species which Kroon described as Boiga ocellata. Pauwels et al. (2005) later concluded that B. ocellata was a junior synonym of B. siamensis. According to Olov & Ryabov (2002), B. cynodon is known from Indonesia (Nias, Mentawai Islands, Sumatra, Riau Archipelago, Bangka, Billiton, Borneo, Java, Bali, Sumbawa, Flores), Malaysia (peninsular and Borneo), Singapore, Penang Island, Myanmar, Cambodia, Thailand, eastern India, and the Philippines (Basilan, Culion, Leyte, Luzon, Mindanao, Palawan, Polillo).
Murphy (1977) reported on an unusual method used by B. cynodon to immobilize avian prey involving both the jaws and tail (the diet of B. cynodon reportedly consists mainly of birds and eggs).
Boiga cynodon was long assumed to be oviparous (Leviton 1968). This was confirmed by the report of captive reproduction by Quinn and Neitman (1978).
Leong and Shunari (2010) reported an attempt by a Black Spitting Cobra (Naja sumatrana) to kill and swallow a Dog-toothed Cat Snake (B. cynodon). This predation event was inadvertently interrupted by human observers, causing the cobra to regurgitate its dead and partially swallowed prey. The total length of the B. cynodon specimen was 233 cm, including the 50 cm tail (Leong et al. [2010] report that these largely arboreal and nocturnal snakes reach a maximum length of 270 cm).
Boiga cynodon, commonly known as the dog-toothed cat snake, is a nocturnal species of rear-fanged colubrid snake endemic to Asia.
It is a large snake, reaching more than 2 m (6+1⁄2 ft) in total length. The front teeth of the upper jaw and the lower jaw are strongly enlarged.[3]
The body is slender and laterally compressed. Dorsally it is tannish with reddish-brown or dark brown crossbands. There is a dark streak behind the eye on each side of the head. The venter is whitish, heavily marbled with dark brown.
The smooth dorsal scales are arranged in 23 or 33 rows at midbody, and those in the vertebral row are strongly enlarged. Ventrals 248–290; subcaudals 114–165.[4]
It feeds mainly upon small birds and bird eggs, but may also take lizards and small Bats.[4]
Boiga cynodon is an oviparous species, with sexually mature females laying eggs, 6-12 per clutch.[4]
Boiga cynodon, commonly known as the dog-toothed cat snake, is a nocturnal species of rear-fanged colubrid snake endemic to Asia.
