Mangrove Snake
(Bioga dendrophila melanota)
Mildly venomous










This handsome snake occurs mainly in lowland jungles and mangrove swamps. Its bluish-black body is marked by 40 to 50 narrow, yellow crossbars. Various sub-species have been recorded and the one described here is found in Malaysia and east Sumatra.Its colour pattern is reminiscent of that of the deadly venomous Banded krait (Bungarus fasciatus), though in the latter, the black and yellow bands are of more or less equal width.The Mangrove Snake rests coiled up among the branches which span over streams or rivers and becomes active at dusk when it hunts for birds and eggs as well as rodents. Its usually docile nature makes it a favorite among snake charmers. However, when provoked, it will bite with little warning. About 4 to 15 eggs are laid per clutch, and the incubation period is about 3 months. One captive Mangrove Snake was recorded to deposit 3 clutches totaling 25 eggs over a 12-month period. Newly hatched Mangrove Snake are about 340 mm long and resemble the adult in coloration, except for the pinkish or orange rings on the hatchlings' tails. When mature, the Mangrove Snake reaches length of about 2.5 m.