A rare Mindanao mangrove snake was recently documented inside the Baganga Mangrove Swamp Forest Reserve in Davao Oriental, adding to the growing biodiversity records in the province.
According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Davao Region, the snake was spotted on April 21, 2026, during a routine patrol conducted by personnel from the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Baganga.
The species, identified as the Mindanao mangrove snake (Boiga dendrophila latifasciata), was found resting on a bakhaw laki tree, scientifically known as Rhizophora apiculata, within the mangrove reserve.
Authorities identified the snake through its glossy black body marked with yellow transverse bands. The species is known to be nocturnal and arboreal, commonly inhabiting mangrove ecosystems, riverbanks and lowland forests.
DENR said the snake is considered “mildly venomous” and is classified as an Other Threatened Species under Department Administrative Order 2019-09 or the Updated National List of Threatened Philippine Fauna and their Categories.
The classification means the species is not yet categorized as critically endangered, endangered or vulnerable, but it could face future risks due to habitat destruction and environmental pressures.
Environmental officials said the discovery highlights the ecological importance of mangrove forests in supporting wildlife species and maintaining biodiversity.
The sighting also indicates that the ecosystem inside the Baganga Mangrove Swamp Forest Reserve remains healthy and capable of sustaining mangrove-associated wildlife.
DENR emphasized the need for continued conservation, habitat protection and monitoring efforts in the reserve to prevent threats that may affect wildlife populations and the surrounding environment.
The agency released details of the discovery through a press statement issued by DENR Davao Region.
