Forsten's Cat Snake

The Cat-Eyed Climber of Kanha

When we think of cats in Kanha, the first thing that comes to mind is the majestic tiger, leopard, or other smaller wild cats. But Kanha is also home to a fascinating creature that shares a very distinct cat feature 'its eyes'.

Meet Forsten's Cat Snake (Boiga forsteni), a large, forest-dwelling species of snake with cat-like vertical pupils.

A thick black or dark-brown postocular streak runs from the eye to the jaw, which again resembles a cat. This species occurs in a wide range of color morphs, from grey, brown, and reddish, with zig-zag patterns or crossbands on the body. Some individuals are reddish-brown with faint patterns or even completely patternless.

Not only do its eyes resemble those of cats, but Forsten's Cat Snake is also an excellent climber just like most of the cats.

Did you know this snake can grow up to 7.5 feet, which is longer than the width of a Maruti Gypsy! However, individuals above 5 feet are not very common.

Forsten's Cat Snake is primarily nocturnal, but it can also be seen during the day, often resting inside tree hollows. Interestingly, it sometimes takes shelter in human habitations as well, especially in the roofs of mud houses, which provide an ideal resting spot.

Being nocturnal and arboreal, its diet consists of birds, eggs, lizards, frogs, rodents, and even other snakes; there are even records of this species feeding on its own species!

This is one of the most widely distributed cat snake species in the Indian subcontinent. It thrives in a variety of habitats, including rainforests, moist deciduous forests, dry deciduous forests, high elevations, and plains. Its adaptability makes it relatively common near human habitations too. In Kanha landscape, Forsten's cat snake is more commonly seen than another species of cat snake which is Common cat snake.

Although it is a mildly venomous species, Forsten's Cat Snake is generally shy and prefers to keep its distance from humans. If approached too closely, it may warn by opening its mouth and producing a loud hiss— similar to the hiss of a Russell’s Viper.

When threatened, it raises its forebody in S-shaped loops, lifts its head off the ground, and inflates its neck in a defensive display. While bites from this snake can be painful, the venom is harmless to humans. In many cases, there are no visible signs of a bite, but a strong “chew bite” may cause local itching or swelling.

Imagine you're on a jungle safari in Kanha, and you hear the loud chatter of birds, especially Jungle Babblers near a tree hollow. Take a moment to scan the tree and the surrounding area—you might just spot the beautiful Forsten's Cat Snake, a stunning reminder of the wild diversity hidden in Kanha’s forests. Look beyond the big cats, and you might catch a glimpse of this secretive, elegant climber resting in the trees, watching you with its mesmerizing eyes.

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