Gold-ringed Cat Snake (Boiga dendrophila)

I cannot believe my eyes when a Gold-ringed Cat Snake (Boiga dendrophila) swam towards me, Chan Kwok Wai and Lim Swee Cheng. We were standing besides a small stream in Upper Peirce Reservoir on 24 October 2006 at 8.30 pm. It was a large specimen, approximately 2 m in total length and 2.5 kg in body weight. When mature, the Gold-ringed Cat Snake reaches a length of about 2.5 m (Lim & Lee, 1989; Lim & Lim, 1992; Cox et al., 1998). This arboreal species is also commonly known as the Mangrove Snake, but seems to be rarely found in local mangroves.

This mildly-venomous but docile snake is popularly used by local snake charmers (Lim & Lim, 1992) and "gor yok" peddlers. It is nocturnal and is known to hunt for small vertebrates such as birds, eggs, lizards and rodents (Lim & Lee, 1989; Lim & Lim, 1992). About 4 to 15 eggs are laid per clutch, and the incubation period is about 3 months (Lim & Lee, 1989; Cox et al., 1998). Hatchlings are about 40 cm and resemble adults (Lim & Lee, 1989; Cox et al., 1998).

Gold-ringed Cat Snake occurs in southern Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore and part of Sumatra (Lim & Lee, 1989; Cox et al., 1998).

* Photograph from Mr Lim Swee Cheng


* Desktop Wallpaper from Mr Chan Kwok Wai

REFERENCES

Cox, M. J., van Dijk, P. P., Nabhitabhata, J. & Thirakhupt, K., 1998. A photographic guide to snakes and other reptiles of Peninsula Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. New Holland Publishers (UK) Ltd, p. 75.

Lim, F. L. K. & Lee, M. T. M., 1989. Fascinating Snakes of Southeast Asia – an Introduction. Tropical Press, Kuala Lumpur, p. 76.

Lim, K. K. P. & Lim, F. L. K., 1992. A Guide To The Amphibians & Reptiles Of Singapore. Singapore Science Centre, p. 73.

Dwarf Reed Snake (Pseudorabdion longiceps)

The Dwarf Reed Snake (Pseudorabdion longiceps) resembles the Brahminy Blind Snake (Ramphotyphlops braminus) in morphology and habits. Both are small nocturnal burrowing snakes that feed on minute invertebrates such as insect larvae (Lim & Lee, 1989; Lim & Lim, 1992). These non-venomous snakes lay eggs (Lim & Lim, 1992). Although both species are common, they are seldom encountered due to their size and lifestyle. As a result, very little is known about them.

Chan Kwok Wai, of Wildlife Singapore, sighted a Dwarf Reed Snake on a northern offshore island of Singapore on 15 September 2006. He would like to share this desktop wallpaper with everyone:

REFERENCES

Lim, F. L. K. & Lee, M. T. M., 1989. Fascinating Snakes of Southeast Asia – an Introduction. Tropical Press, Kuala Lumpur, p. 50.

Lim, K. K. P. & Lim, F. L. K., 1992. A Guide To The Amphibians & Reptiles Of Singapore. Singapore Science Centre, p. 62.

Twin-barred Tree Snake (Chrysopelea pelias)

Heather Jones was at Lower Peirce Reservoir on 19 October 2006 morning when she spotted a very rare (Lim & Lee, 1989; Lim & Lim, 1992; Cox et al., 1998) Twin-barred Tree Snake (Chrysopelea pelias) on the wooden boardwalk. According to "The Singapore Red Data Book", this beautiful snake is considered vulnerable (Species believed likely to move into the "Endangered" category in the near future if the threats to its survival are not reduced or eliminated.). Unfortunately, there is little known about this species (Lim & Lee, 1989; Lim & Lim, 1992; Cox et al., 1998).

This diurnal, arboreal and mildly-venomous snake inhabits forests and feeds on small vertebrates such as lizards (Lim & Lim, 1992). It can grow up to 74 cm in total body length (Cox et al., 1998) and lays eggs (Lim & Lim, 1992).

This species is distributed in southern Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Sumatra, Borneo and nearby islands (Cox et al., 1998).

REFERENCES

Cox, M. J., van Dijk, P. P., Nabhitabhata, J. & Thirakhupt, K., 1998. A photographic guide to snakes and other reptiles of Peninsula Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. New Holland Publishers (UK) Ltd, p. 66.

Lim, F. L. K. & Lee, M. T. M., 1989. Fascinating Snakes of Southeast Asia – an Introduction. Tropical Press, Kuala Lumpur, p. 65.

Lim, K. K. P. & Lim, F. L. K., 1992. A Guide To The Amphibians & Reptiles Of Singapore. Singapore Science Centre, p. 69.

Desktop Wallpaper of Feeding Puff-faced Water Snake

Chan Kwok Wai, of Wildlife Singapore, took beautiful shots of a Puff-faced Water Snake (Homalopsis buccuta) feeding on a "larger-than-mouth" prey in Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve on 15 October 2006. He would like to share this wonderfully created desktop wallpaper with everyone.

Another Close Encounter With Shorey

My good luck with Shore Pit-vipers (Trimeresurus purpureomaculatus) continues. A small beautiful individual crossed my (gravel) path on 12 October 2006 (Thursday) in Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve at about 7.30 pm. The snake was doing "it's thing" but I interrupted it for awhile to take some shots (with a camera). Thereafter, it slithered away into the bush.

This is the fourth time (17 May 06 @ Pasir Ris Park Mangrove Swamp; 18 Aug 06 @ Pasir Ris Park Mangrove Swamp; 28 Aug 06 @ Lim Chu Kang Road End Mangroves) which I have chanced upon this snake, and it was always on the ground.

Ria Tan of Wild Singapore sent me the following photographs of her sightings of Shore Pit-vipers which were all taken at SBWR (on 27 May 2002, 4 October 2003, and 2 November 2003) but the snakes were all off ground.

These snakes rest on high ground during the day and hunt for prey on the ground in the night? Will be interesting to find out.

Guide Books for Indentification of Singapore Snakes

It is good to know the difference between a Oriental Whipsnake and a Wagler Pit-viper; a Malayan Brown Snake and a Equatorial Spitting Cobra; a Pink-headed Reed Snake and a Blue Malayan Coral Snake; a Striped Kukri Snake and a Banded Malayan Coral Snake; a Gold-ringed Cat Snake and a Banded Krait; ...

These three references should help you learn more about snakes in Singapore, apart from differentiating the harmless snakes from the venomous ones:



A Guide To The Amphibians & Reptiles Of Singapore
ISBN 997188304X
Coverage: HISSSS (Good coverage of common species found in Singapore)
Text: HISSSS (Concise yet comprehensive)
Photographs: HISSS (Good enough for identification purposes)
Size: HISSSSS (A true pocket-sized field guide)
Price: HISSSSS (SGD 5.25, incl. GST!)
Availability: HISSSS (In most good bookstores and library collections)
Overall: HISSSS (THE BOOK for that life-and-death situation; easy reference because it is concise and covers ONLY local species)



A Photographic Guide To Snakes And Other Reptiles Of Peninsula Malaysia, Singapore And Thailand
ISBN 1853684384
Coverage: HISSSSS (Almost all local species)
Text: HISSSS (Pretty detailed)
Photographs: HISSS (Good enough for indentification)
Size: HISSSS (Small enough to put in a waist-pouch)
Price: HISSSS (Under SGD 20)
Availability: HISS (In some good bookstores)
Overall: HISSSS (Useful for herping in the region; covers more than is needed for identification of local species)



Fascinating Snakes Of Southeast Asia - An Introduction
ISBN 9677300458
Coverage: HISSSS (Most local species)
Text: HISSS (Very descriptive. Not concise.)
Photographs: HISSSS (Huge and clear)
Size: HISS (Leave it on the coffee table)
Price: HISS (More than SGD 30)
Availability: HISS (Difficult to find in local bookstores and library collections)
Overall: HISSS (Good book to have but not for quick reference)

Banded Malayan Coral Snake (Calliophis intestinalis)

Debby Ng sent me this photograph of a Banded Malayan Coral Snake, Calliophis (Maticora) intestinalis, roadkill which she spotted just outside Mandai Track 15 on 23 Septempber 2006. This venomous but inoffensive snake is supposed to be fairly common but is seldom sighted, probably due to its burrowing and nocturnal nature (Lim & Lim, 1992).

REFERENCE

Lim, K. K. O. & Lim, F. L. K., 1992. A Guide To The Amphibians & Reptiles Of Singapore. SIngapore Science Centre, p. 89.

A Snakeful Night

Luck was with me on 29 September 2006.

Five snakes in a night!

There was a Common Malayan Racer (Coelognathus flavolineatus) that was faster than F1 racer, escaped before a photograph can be taken.


A Equatorial Spitting Cobra (Naja sumatrana) with cloudy eyes, suggesting that the snake is about to shed its skin.


A Keel-bellied Whip Snake (Dryophiops rubescens) roadkill.


A juvenile King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) roadkill.


And finally ... the skeletal remains of a large Reticulated Python (Python reticulatus) in a monsoon drain.

Ok, I cheated a bit. But dead snakes are still snakes, and are important for locality recording purposes.

Sightings are from a northern offshore island of Singapore.

Previous sightings:

http://singaporesnakes.blogspot.com/2006/08/another-snake-roadkill.html
http://singaporesnakes.blogspot.com/2006/08/snake-roadkills-in-singapore_01.html

* All photographs from Mr Norman Lim and Mr Chim Chee Kong

Snake In A Park!

I was informed by Tay Ywee Chieh that a Reticulated Python (Python reticulatus) had attracted too much unwanted attention in Bishan Park after a hearty breakfast on 30 September 2006. The snake was too full for its own good, being too heavy to move to a less conspicuous spot to enjoy a lazy Saturday afternoon. People were threatening to call the AVA (Agri-Veteninary Authority) or other authorities to remove the python, a move which will most likely seal its fate. Ywee Chieh, with some knowledge on snakes, tried to convince the concerned crowd that the snake is a harmless one (which is true) and they should leave it alone. They left not entirely convinced. Apart from people, the snake was also terrorized by an army of ants which seemed to be "eating it alive". There was also high chance of the snake becoming a roadkill, since it was lying so near to the pavement. Being concerned about the safety of the poor creature, Ywee Chieh and a kind passerby commendably used a branch and moved the animal to a less eye-catching location.

WHAT TO DO IF I SAW A SNAKE IN A PARK?

The best thing to do is do nothing, unless you are 100% sure about the snake's identity. Thus, it is extremely important to know your snakes. This is to save the snake and you. More often than not, the snakes we killed are harmless ones. I believe that encounters such as the one mentioned above was not the fault of the python being a snake, but was the result of our ignorance. If we know more about our snakes, we can better handle a situation. A "snake-ledgeable" person is probably less likely to suffer heart attack when she/he encounters a legless friend.

Pythons longer than 3 m may be dangerous to man. If you are very sure that your existence is being threatened by snakes this big, call 999.

* All photographs by Ms Tay Ywee Chieh (using her mobile phone!)