Rare Jasper Cat Snake With Scales Like Molten Lava Spotted By Photographer In S’pore

Rare & Critically Endangered Jasper Cat Snake Spotted By Local Photographer

Singapore’s wildlife diversity is nothing to scoff at. Aside from the occasional otter and owl sightings, we also see massive pythons slithering around in our estates every now and then.

On Thursday (20 May), a local photographer spotted a rare and critically endangered Jasper Cat Snake on his hike.

Image courtesy of @isaacsimmy on Instagram

The sighting makes it the 6th ever sighting of the snake, making it the second rarest cat snake species in Singapore.

Jasper Cat Snake is S’pore’s second rarest cat snake species

Recounting the encounter, the photographer said he was about to conclude his night walk when he and his companion chance upon the elusive snake.

Image courtesy of @isaacsimmy on Instagram

Due to its rarity, the photographer was understandably hesitant on disclosing the snake’s location.

Turns out, this is apparently the 6th time a Jasper Cat Snake had ever been seen on our island, making it one of the rarest cat snake species in Singapore.

The Jasper Cat Snake, or Boiga Jaspidea, is native to Singapore and belongs to the Colubridae family.

Image courtesy of @isaacsimmy on Instagram

Its highly patterned grey-brown body colouration and black spots along its body make it highly identifiable.

Its relatively large head is also covered in black spots with orange and red highlights.

Image courtesy of @isaacsimmy on Instagram

Belly scales that are typically yellow in colour can also be found under the neck.

Mildly venomous and rear-fanged

Very little is known about the species due to its rarity, but they are reportedly mildly venomous and rear-fanged

Image courtesy of @isaacsimmy on Instagram

They are also an arboreal species that feeds on small rodents and lay eggs in other arboreal termite nests.

Additionally, they have the largest eye-to-head ratio among the Boiga species, making them appear “derpy”.

Image courtesy of @isaacsimmy on Instagram

Incredibly rare encounter

With only 6 sightings of the snake in the past 5 years, this sighting is truly something to behold.

Kudos to the photographer for spotting the rare snake and providing more insight on such a beautiful creature. Who knew such wildlife lived amongst us on our small island.

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Featured image adapted from @isaacsimmy on Instagram.