Mumbai: Rare Forsten’s cat snake rescued in Aarey, highlighting forest’s rich biodiversity

The Forsten’s cat snake rescued and released in Aarey forest. Pic Courtesy/Prasad Khandagale

A rarely spotted Forsten's cat snake was rescued near a forest chowki in Aarey, once again highlighting the rich biodiversity of the forest. The species is the second-largest among cat snakes and is mildly venomous.

Aarey resident and wildlife volunteer Prasad Khandagale of NGO Wildlife Welfare Association (WWA) said he received a call from a forest department staffer on June 17 about a snake at risk of being killed while crossing a road.

"I was surprised to find that it was a Forsten's cat snake, a species rarely encountered during rescues. The snake was safely rescued and later released deep inside the forest as per forest department instructions," Khandagale said.

Conflict prevention

Khandagale, along with his team members Raj Jadhav, Aditya Shinde, and Sainath Awade, regularly rescues snakes from houses and human settlements in Aarey Milk Colony to prevent human-snake conflict.

Elusive species

The arboreal Forsten's cat snake (Boiga forsteni) feeds on small birds, eggs and lizards. Experts say it is nocturnal, remaining active from early evening to early morning, while spending the daytime hidden in tree hollows, caves and dense vegetation.

Forest habitat

The species is found mainly in dense forests across hills and plains. Though uncommon, it is occasionally reported from India's sal forests.

Mumbai rescues over the years

August 2025: Wildlife volunteer Ankit Vyas rescued a 5-foot grey-morphed Forsten's cat snake from an 11th-floor flat in Borivli East near Sanjay Gandhi National Park

November 2024: A Forsten's cat snake was rescued from a seventh-floor apartment at Royal Palms and released into its natural habitat

July 2020: A Forsten's cat snake was rescued from a film set at Film City, Goregaon

August 2017: A Forsten's cat snake was rescued from a shoe rack in Mulund

Expert Speak

Varad Giri, head scientist, Reliance Foundation
‘This is one of the largest cat snake species, yet it remains poorly known in India. Records such as these help update and enhance our understanding of the species' distribution and natural history.'

Aditya Shinde, wildlife enthusiast
‘The sighting of the Forsten's cat snake once again highlights the rich biodiversity of Aarey and reinforces why the forest needs protection,'

June 17
Day volunteers received the rescue call