Papuan treesnake

About the Papuan treesnake

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Papuan treesnake

Is the Papuan treesnake venomous?

No. The Papuan treesnake (Dendrelaphis papuensis) 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 Papuan treesnake poisonous?

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

Is the Papuan treesnake dangerous?

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

Where does the Papuan treesnake live?

The Papuan treesnake has verified records in 2 countries, including Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Where it is found

More Colubridae snakes

• 
  Common Tree Snake
  Dendrelaphis punctulatus
• 
  Painted Bronzeback
  Dendrelaphis pictus
• 
  Common Bronzeback Tree Snake
  Dendrelaphis tristis
• 
  Striped Bronzeback
  Dendrelaphis caudolineatus
• 
  Elegant Bronzeback
  Dendrelaphis formosus
• 
  Kopstein's Bronzeback
  Dendrelaphis kopsteini
• 
  Vietnamese Bronzeback
  Dendrelaphis ngansonensis
• 
  Northern Tree Snake
  Dendrelaphis 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 papuensis

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.