Colubridae
Sinharaja Tree Snake
HarmlessDendrelaphis effrenis

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
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 effrenis
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.