Species of the genus Boiga are native to southeast Asia, India, and Australia, but due to their extremely hardy nature and adaptability, have spread to many other suitable habitats around the world.

Nowadays, B. cynodon, B. philippina and a “Katherine morph” of B. irregularis are also circulating in the South-East Asian exotic pet trade.

[citation needed] Boiga irregularis in particular has been federally banned in the United States because of its effect by accidentally being introduced to the island of Guam.

As a result, it has bred unchecked as an invasive species, and has begun consuming the island's bird life in extreme numbers.

In addition to devouring the native fauna, this species will routinely crawl into power transformers, and this typically results in both an electrocuted snake and substantial blackouts.

Although they are an invasive species, there has been evidence where there is reverse- colonization of South-East Asia from the Philippines, and the Australasia from Wallacea from multiple lineages within Boiga.