Mangrove snake | 台北市立動物園資訊網

This slender snake is primarily black with yellow scales around its face and bands around its body. The yellow bands do not generally join over the back or under the belly. The mangrove snakes eyes are large with narrow, vertical slits, earning it another common name—the yellow-ringed cat snake. The eye structure allows it to see better at night when it is active and on the hunt.

The mangrove snake is mildly venomous with rear fangs. Like other members of the Colubrid family, it has a Duvernoys gland, which is distinct from the venom gland and composed of cells that produce saliva. The Duvernoys gland is located on the posterior end of the eye with a duct that connects to the rear fangs, which are enlarged and have grooves into which the venom flows. This is a common adaptation of rear-fanged snakes. The fangs are angled backward to assist in biting and holding onto prey, though sometimes the ...