Boiga kraepelini

Boiga kraepelini, commonly known as the square-headed cat snake, Kelung cat snake, or Taiwanese tree snake is a species of mildly venomous snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to East Asia and Southeast Asia (Taiwan, China, Vietnam, and Laos). Its specific name, "kraepelini", honours Karl Kraepelin, a German naturalist. The common name, Kelung cat snake, refers to its type locality, Keelung in northern Taiwan.
Description.
"B. kraepelini" is a long and thin snake that can grow to a total length (including tail) of . Its head and eyes are large (the head is twice the width of the neck), hence the Chinese name meaning "big-headed snake" (). The pupils are cat-like, as is typical for the genus. The colouration of the upper surface of the body and tail is usually amber or brown to copper brown, with irregular brown to diffuse black cross bands along the vertebral line.
Reproduction.
"B. kraepelini" is oviparous. Females lay 5–14 eggs per clutch in summer.
Behaviour and venom.
"B. kraepelini" can be quite aggressive, forming a defensive coil and striking in a viper-like fashion when threatened. The properties of the venom are poorly known, but it is considered only mildly venomous.
Geographic range.
"B. kraepelini" is found throughout Taiwan to asl, large parts of eastern, central, and southern China (Anhui, Chongqing, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Hunan, Jiangxi, Sichuan, and Zhejiang provinces), Laos, and northern Vietnam.
Habitat and ecology.
"B. kraepelini" inhabits both primary and secondary forest habitats, often near villages. It is a nocturnal snake that is largely arboreal, although it may descend to the ground to cross roads. It preys upon small birds and lizards, and sometimes bird eggs.
Conservation status.
"B. kraepelini" is a widespread and common species. It can be locally threatened by habitat loss. It occurs in many protected areas.