Colubridae
Maren's Bronzeback
HarmlessDendrelaphis marenae






6 photographs of the Maren's Bronzeback. © Kseniia Marianna Prondzynska.
The Maren's Bronzeback (Dendrelaphis marenae) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 2 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Maren's Bronzeback
Dendrelaphis marenae, also known commonly as Gaulke's bronze-back tree snake and Maren's bronzeback, is a species of snake in the subfamily Ahaetuliinae of the family Colubridae. The species is native to Southeast Asia.
Etymology
The species Dendrelaphis marenae is named after German herpetologist Dr. Maren Gaulke, honoring her scientific contributions to the field of herpetology in the Philippines. She also helped collect some of the initial specimens.
Taxonomy
Dendrelaphis marenae 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:
Distribution
Dendrelaphis marenae is found in Indonesia and the Philippines.
Habitat
The preferred natural habitat of Dendrelaphis marenae is forest, at elevations up to 1,000 m (3,300 ft).
Behavior
Dendrelaphis marenae is diurnal and fully arboreal.
Diet
Dendrelaphis marenae preys predominantly upon frogs.
Reproduction
Dendrelaphis marenae is oviparous. Clutch size is two to ten eggs.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Maren's Bronzeback
- Is the Maren's Bronzeback venomous?
- No. The Maren's Bronzeback (Dendrelaphis marenae) 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 Maren's Bronzeback poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Maren's Bronzeback is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Maren's Bronzeback dangerous?
- The Maren's Bronzeback is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Maren's Bronzeback live?
- The Maren's Bronzeback has verified records in 2 countries, including Philippines, Indonesia. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- What does the Maren's Bronzeback eat?
- Dendrelaphis marenae preys predominantly upon frogs.
- Why is it called the Maren's Bronzeback?
- The species Dendrelaphis marenae is named after German herpetologist Dr. Maren Gaulke, honoring her scientific contributions to the field of herpetology in the Philippines. She also helped collect some of the initial specimens.
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 marenae
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.