Bourret’s Cat Snake – Boiga bourreti – Tillack, Ziegler & Khac Quyet, 2004

Science name: Boiga bourreti – Tillack, Ziegler & Khac Quyet, 2004

Taxonomic:  Animalia>> Chordata>> Reptilia>> Squamata >> Colubridae >> bourreti

Species status: Endemic ; IUCN status: EN (Endangered Species)

Description:

Physical characteristics:
Boiga bourreti can grow to over 1 meter in length and is characterized by a dark brown body with striking silver patterns. Juveniles differ in appearance from adults, displaying lighter colors, including silver brown on the head and brighter body tones. The species has 19 mid-body scale rows, 230-236 ventral scales, and 107-114 divided subcaudal scales.
Unique features:
The species is similar to Boiga siamensis (found in southern Vietnam) but differs in the number of dorsal scale rows (19 in Boiga bourreti compared to 21 in Boiga siamensis) and the absence of a neck color band in Boiga bourreti.

Distribution and habitat:

Elevation: Found at elevations ranging from 500 to 1,500 meters.
Area: Endemic to central Vietnam, specifically Quang Binh and Kon Tum provinces. It may also extend into adjacent areas of Laos and Cambodia.
Habitat: Primarily inhabits subtropical and tropical moist lowland and montane forests. Boiga bourreti is typically found in primary evergreen forests and rocky valleys.
System: Terrestrial
Habitat type: Forest, particularly in areas associated with granite and karst rock formations.

Behaviour and ecology:

Lifestyle:
Nocturnal and primarily arboreal, Boiga bourreti has been observed on the forest floor, forest paths, and rocks near streams during the night but never in trees.
Diet:
Like other Boiga species, it feeds on small vertebrates such as lizards, birds, and small mammals.
Generation length: Missing Info
Movement patterns: Non-migratory species that moves actively at night, searching for prey in forested environments.
Congregatory behavior: Solitary; typically not found in groups.

Conservation and status:

Current conservation status: Listed as Endangered under the IUCN Red List criteria B1ab(iii), as it has a limited distribution area of 3,385 km² and is threatened by habitat loss due to deforestation.
Threats: The primary threat is ongoing deforestation in central Vietnam, leading to habitat degradation.
Protected areas: Boiga bourreti occurs in protected forest areas in central Vietnam, including evergreen forests in Quang Binh and Kon Tum provinces.