Snake FinderField Guide · Worldwide

Colubridae

Sinharaja Tree Snake

Harmless

Dendrelaphis effrenis

Sinharaja Tree Snake
Dendrelaphis effrenis, (c) Mark Liptrot, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)

The Sinharaja Tree Snake (Dendrelaphis effrenis) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 1 country.

Family
Colubridae

About the Sinharaja Tree Snake

Dendrelaphis effrenis is a species of arboreal snake endemic to Sri Lanka. It was considered synonym of D. caudolineolatus until revalidation in 2020. At the same time, D. sinharajensis was brought into synonymy of D. effrenis. Proposed vernacular names for D. sinharajensis include Sinharaja tree snake, Sinharaja haldanda, and Sinharaja komberi muken (Tamil).

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Sinharaja Tree Snake

Is the Sinharaja Tree Snake venomous?
No. The Sinharaja Tree Snake (Dendrelaphis effrenis) 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 Sinharaja Tree Snake poisonous?
Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Sinharaja Tree Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
Is the Sinharaja Tree Snake dangerous?
The Sinharaja Tree Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
Where does the Sinharaja Tree Snake live?
The Sinharaja Tree Snake has verified records in 1 country, including Sri Lanka. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Where it is found

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 effrenis

Keep learning

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