Colubridae
Haas's Bronzeback
HarmlessDendrelaphis haasi




4 photographs of the Haas's Bronzeback. © Ian Dugdale.
The Haas's Bronzeback (Dendrelaphis haasi) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 5 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Haas's Bronzeback
Dendrelaphis haasi, also known commonly as Haas' bronzeback, Haas's bronzeback, Haas's bronzeback snake, and Haas's bronzeback tree snake, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to Southeast Asia.
Etymology
The specific name, haasi, is in honor of Dutch herpetologist C.P.J. de Haas.
Taxonomy
Dendrelaphis haasi belongs to the genus Dendrelaphis, which contains 48 other described species.
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:
Geographic range
D. haasi is found in Bangladesh, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore.
Habitat
The preferred natural habitat of D. haasi is forest, at altitudes near to sea level, but it has also been found in gardens.
Description
D. haasi is slender and has a very long tail, which is 34% to 38% of its total length. The holotype has a snout-to-vent length of 57.5 cm (22.6 in), plus a tail length of 33 cm (13 in).
Behavior
D. haasi is diurnal and fully arboreal.
Diet
D. haasi preys upon frogs and lizards.
Reproduction
D. haasi is oviparous.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Haas's Bronzeback
- Is the Haas's Bronzeback venomous?
- No. The Haas's Bronzeback (Dendrelaphis haasi) 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 Haas's Bronzeback poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Haas's Bronzeback is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Haas's Bronzeback dangerous?
- The Haas's Bronzeback is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Haas's Bronzeback live?
- The Haas's Bronzeback has verified records in 5 countries, including Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- What does the Haas's Bronzeback eat?
- D. haasi preys upon frogs and lizards.
- Why is it called the Haas's Bronzeback?
- The specific name, haasi, is in honor of Dutch herpetologist C.P.J. de Haas.
Where it is found
More Colubridae snakes
Common Tree SnakeDendrelaphis punctulatus
Painted BronzebackDendrelaphis pictus
Common Bronzeback Tree SnakeDendrelaphis tristis
Striped BronzebackDendrelaphis caudolineatus
Elegant BronzebackDendrelaphis formosus
Kopstein's BronzebackDendrelaphis kopsteini
Vietnamese BronzebackDendrelaphis ngansonensis
Northern Tree SnakeDendrelaphis calligaster
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 haasi
Keep learning
- What to Do If You Find a SnakeFound a snake at home or on a trail? Here is how to stay calm, give it space, identify it safely, and know when to call a professional.
- Venomous vs Nonvenomous: How to Tell the DifferenceThe folk rules for telling venomous snakes apart, where each one fails, and why location-based identification beats guessing by sight.
- What Is a Snake? Anatomy and the BasicsA clear overview of what makes a snake a snake: limbless body plan, anatomy, evolution from lizards, species diversity, and why they are ectothermic.
- How to Keep Snakes Out of Your Yard and HomeA practical guide to keeping snakes out of your yard and home using habitat changes that work, plus what to skip and what to do if one shows up.
Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.