Boiga dightoni
Boiga dightoni, commonly known as the Pirmad cat snake or the Travancore cat snake, is a species of rear-fanged colubrid endemic to the Western Ghats of India.Etymology
The common name, Pirmad cat snake, refers to Peermade, a place in Kerala, India, elevation 3,300 feet.
The specific name or epithet, dightoni, is in honor of tea planter S.M. Dighton, the collector of the holotype specimen.Geographic range
In India Boiga dightoni is found in the Ponmudi Hills and Travancore Hills of Kerala State, and in the Anaimalai Hills and Palni Hills of western Tamil Nadu State.Description
Boiga dightoni is pale reddish-brown dorsally, with a series of salmon-red blotches. Its head is pale brown with minute blackish dots. Ventrally, it is yellowish, finely-dotted with brown. The outer ends of the ventral scales are salmon-pink. It is medium-sized, adults attaining a total length of 1.1 m.Behavior
Boiga dightoni is arboreal and nocturnal.Habitat
Boiga dightoni inhabits trees and shrubs in forested areas.Diet
Boiga dightoni preys on lizards, including ''Calotes versicolor.Venom
Although rear-fanged and possessing a mild venom, Boiga dightoni is not considered dangerous to humans, mainly due to its small size.
