Is the Blue Bronzeback venomous?

No. The Blue Bronzeback (Dendrelaphis cyanochloris) is non-venomous and is not considered dangerous to humans. Like most snakes, it will retreat rather than bite when given the chance.

Is the Blue Bronzeback poisonous?

Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Blue Bronzeback is neither poisonous nor venomous.

Is the Blue Bronzeback dangerous?

The Blue Bronzeback is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.

Where does the Blue Bronzeback live?

The Blue Bronzeback has verified records in 8 countries, including Malaysia, Thailand, India. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Colubridae

Blue Bronzeback

Harmless

Dendrelaphis cyanochloris

Blue Bronzeback — Dendrelaphis cyanochloris, © Adam Kamal

6 photographs of the Blue Bronzeback. © Adam Kamal.

The Blue Bronzeback (Dendrelaphis cyanochloris) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 8 countries.

Family: Colubridae

About the Blue Bronzeback

Dendrelaphis cyanochloris, commonly known as Wall's bronzeback or the blue bronzeback, is a species of colubrid snake found in Southeast Asia.

Taxonomy

Dendrelaphis cyanochloris belongs to the genus Dendrelaphis, which contains 48 other described species. D. cyanochloris is most closely related to Dendrelaphis ngansonensis, and together the two might form a species complex.

Dendrelaphis is one of five genera belonging to the vine snake subfamily Ahaetuliinae, of which Dendrelaphis is most closely related to Chrysopelea, as shown in the cladogram below:

Distribution

The species occurs in India (Assam, Arunachal Pradesh (Namdapha - Changlang district); Andaman Islands, northern parts of West Bengal), Bangladesh, Myanmar, southern Thailand, and western Malaysia (Pulau Pinang, Pahang, Pulau Tioman), possibly also in Bhutan. It is predominantly arboreal and inhabits primary and mature secondary lowland rainforest, at altitudes of up to 1,000 m.

Behavior

Like other bronzebacks, this snake is diurnal and fully arboreal, and has oviparous reproduction.

Conservation

Common and widespread, Wall's bronzeback is currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, although it is likely impacted by localized habitat loss and degradation from agricultural expansion and logging.

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Blue Bronzeback

Is the Blue Bronzeback venomous?: No. The Blue Bronzeback (Dendrelaphis cyanochloris) is non-venomous and is not considered dangerous to humans. Like most snakes, it will retreat rather than bite when given the chance.
Is the Blue Bronzeback poisonous?: Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Blue Bronzeback is neither poisonous nor venomous.
Is the Blue Bronzeback dangerous?: The Blue Bronzeback is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
Where does the Blue Bronzeback live?: The Blue Bronzeback has verified records in 8 countries, including Malaysia, Thailand, India. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Where it is found

Malaysia Thailand India Myanmar Singapore Indonesia Bangladesh China

More Colubridae snakes

Classification

How scientists group this snake, from the broadest category down to the exact species. Each step narrows to its closest relatives.

OrderThe broad group of scaled reptiles: all snakes and lizards: Squamata
FamilyA group of related snakes that share key traits: Colubridae
GenusA close-knit group of very similar species: Dendrelaphis
SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name: Dendrelaphis cyanochloris

Keep learning

Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.