Mangrove Snake
Boiga dendrophila
A large, glossy black colubrid ringed with bright yellow bands, common in Southeast Asian wetlands and mangroves, with mild rear-fanged venom of little concern to humans.
- Venomous?
- Mildly venomous
- Adult length
- 1.5-2.4 m (5-8 ft)
- Range
- Southeast Asia (Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo, Philippines)
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Overview
The mangrove snake is a large, strikingly colored colubrid found across mangroves, wetlands, and lowland forest in Southeast Asia. It is a rear-fanged, mildly venomous species; its venom is intended primarily for subduing prey and is not considered medically significant to humans in typical circumstances.
Its bold black-and-yellow banding and large size make it one of the more conspicuous and frequently photographed snakes within its range.
How to identify it
- Large, robust body with glossy, smooth black scales
- Bright yellow crossbands or rings encircling the black body
- Yellow lips and chin, often with black markings
- Large head distinct from the neck, with prominent eyes
- Vertically elliptical pupils, an adaptation for nocturnal vision
Its bold yellow-on-black banding and large, cat-like eyes are distinctive and help separate it from other Southeast Asian colubrids.
Habitat & range
Found in mangrove forests, swamps, riverbanks, and lowland rainforest across the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo, and the Philippines. It is often associated with areas near water and dense vegetation.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Primarily nocturnal and arboreal, often found coiled in vegetation near water at night. It has a notably defensive temperament and may strike readily if disturbed, though its rear-fanged bite poses minimal risk to humans. Diet includes birds, bird eggs, small mammals, lizards, and other snakes. Reproduction is oviparous, with clutches of roughly 4-15 eggs.
Frequently asked questions
Is the mangrove snake venomous?
It is mildly venomous with rear fangs, but its venom is not considered medically significant to humans.
How big does the mangrove snake get?
It is a large colubrid, reaching 1.5-2.4 m (5-8 ft).
Where is the mangrove snake found?
It occurs across the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo, and the Philippines, especially in mangroves and wetlands.
Is the mangrove snake aggressive?
It has a defensive temperament and may strike readily, though its bite is not medically significant.
Mangrove Snake guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Mangrove Snake.
