Cat-Eyed Snake

The cat-eyed snake is a genus of slender snakes with huge cat-like eyes.

There are between 12 and 16 recognized species within this genus. Some of the most common species include the northern cat-eyed snake, banded cat-eyed snake, and rainforest cat-eyed snake. The name of this genus is easily confused with the cat snakes (including the Egyptian cat snake), which are a member of the same family but not the same genus. Besides their size and color pattern, the main difference is that cat-eyed snakes are only found in the Americas. In order to narrow the focus of this article, only the species of the genus Leptodeira will be mentioned.

5 Amazing Facts

• Cat-eyed snakes generally breed once a year. After copulating, the female lays a clutch of up to 12 eggs. There is some evidence females can delay fertilization and store sperm for later years to produce eggs even in the absence of contact with a male. The juveniles hatch up to three months later by piercing through the shell with an egg tooth. The mother gives no other parental care after the juveniles have hatched.
• These snakes primarily rely on their sense of smell to detect the world around them, including the scent of prey and snake pheromones. Like many other types of snakes, they have a unique organ located on the roof the mouth. When they flick out their tongues, they gather scent molecules from the air and bring them to organ in the mouth.
• Cat-eyed snakes completely lack the ability to hear, but their ear structure does give them the ability to detect vibrations in the ground.
• These snakes snakes are nocturnal hunters. The vertical pupils may help them accurately judge the distance of prey, especially at night. They probably have difficulty seeing stationary objects though.
• Cat-eyed snakes continue to grow throughout most of their lives. However, the lifespan of these snakes has never been properly documented in the wild.

Where to Find Them

Cat-eyed snakes are found in many different environments, including grasslands, scrublands, and rainforests, throughout the Americas. They live as far north as Texas and as far south as Argentina but are most commonly found in Mexico and Central America, including the common banded and northern cat-eyed snakes. They prefer to seek out areas with plenty of cover along the ground to hide under from dangerous predators.

Scientific Name

The scientific name of cat-eyed snake is Leptodeira. It’s not entirely clear where this name originated from, but it may be related to the ancient Greek word lepto, which means thin or narrow. Confusingly, there is another genus called the Malagasy cat-eyed snakes which are found exclusively on the African island of Madagascar. They are part of an entirely separate family and not closely related to the Leptodeira genus at all.

Population and Conservation Status

The population numbers of the cat-eyed snake have never been properly estimated, but according to the IUCN Red List, every single species is ranked as least concern. This is the best possible classification. It means that numbers are likely high and the species require no special conservation efforts. The northern cat-eyed snake is probably the most common and widespread. The greatest threats are probably habitat destruction and deforestation, which eliminates their natural cover.

Appearance and Description

The cat-eyed snakes are characterized by a long, slender body that can stretch up to 5 feet. By far the most conspicuous feature is the a. Depending on their age and geographical location, they come in a variety of different colors, including brown, pale gold, and reddish-orange with large dark markings or saddle shapes along the back. These snakes belong to a group called the rear-fanged snakes. As the name suggests, the fangs are located at the back of the jaw. Females are ever so slightly larger than males on average, but for the most part, they are very difficult to tell apart from each other.

Here is how to identify the cat-eyed snake:

• A long, slender body stretching up to 5 feet.
• Large eyes with vertical pupils.
• Blotches or saddle patterns along the back.
• Brown, tan, pale gold, or reddish-orange skin color.

History and Evolution

Like other snakes, the historic ancestors of Cat-eyed Snakes roamed the land on legs, as surprising as that may be. They had legs just like other reptiles like lizards, turtles, and crocodiles. At some point in their evolution and millions of years ago, prehistoric snakes found it advantageous to not use their legs as much and crawl low to the ground or perch in trees. Eventually, their legs became unused and unnecessary. You can see vestigial legs on some snake species today as evidence.

Cat-eyed Snakes have in common that they have vertical pupil adaptation. This feature has helped them hunt at night and judge distances more accurately to help them not only hunt but also avoid any unwanted enemies.

How Dangerous Are They?

The cat-eyed snake is capable of producing low-toxicity venom that should have minimal effects on people. At worst, if you’re bitten, you may experience some mild pain and swelling. You may want to contact your doctor just out of precautionary care, but you should expect to experience no long-term effects. The position of its fangs at the back of the mouth actually makes it difficult for these snakes to bite easily. You would have to seriously antagonize it before it would bite out of self-defense.

Types of Cat-eyed Snakes

As mentioned there are over a dozen types of Cat-eyed snakes. Here are a few:

• Northern Cat-eyed Snake – These can be found in Ecuador, Panama, and Columbia.
• Banded Cat-eyed Snake – Also called the Cat-eyed Night Snake, these snakes are found in South America, Central America, and in a few places in the Caribbean. They prefer habitats in forests, marshes, and swamps.
• Rainforest Cat-eyed Snake – Also called the Mayan Cat-eyed Snake, these reptiles can be found in Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico.
• Aruban Cat-eyed Snake – These snakes can be found in Venezuela and Aruba, of course. They are also called Baker’s Cat-eyed Snakes.
• Southwestern Cat-eyed Snake – This subspecies calls Mexico its home.
• Small Spotted Cat-eyed Snake – This group is located in Costa Rica, Mexico, Belize, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Guatemala.
• Splendid Cat-eyed Snake – With the best name on the list, this subspecies can be found in Mexico.
• Uribe’s Cat-eyed Snake – The last one on our list can also be found in the country of Mexico.

Behavior and Humans

The cat-eyed snake is not very aggressive at all. If encountered by a person, they will attempt to run away and hide. Only when they’re cornered will they coil up their bodies and threaten to strike. It is always best just to leave them alone. If you need to pick one up, then they should be handled with care.