Colubridae
Wickramasinghes' Bronzeback
HarmlessDendrelaphis wickrorum



3 photographs of the Wickramasinghes' Bronzeback. (c) Albert Kang, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).
The Wickramasinghes' Bronzeback (Dendrelaphis wickrorum) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 1 country.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Wickramasinghes' Bronzeback
Dendrelaphis wickrorum, commonly known as the Wickramasinghes bronzeback, is a species of arboreal snake endemic to Sri Lanka.
Etymology
The specific name wickrorum is in honor of prominent herpetologist L. J. Mendis Wickramasinghe and his wife Nethu Wickramasinghe for their remarkable contributions to the field of herpetology in Sri Lanka. It was formerly considered to be Dendrelaphis bifrenalis.
Taxonomy
The species is sympatric with other bronzeback species: D. sinharajensis, D. schokari and D. caudolineolatus in the wet zone. It was formerly confused with Dendrelaphis bifrenalis, but the dry-zone populations of Dendrelaphis bifrenalis are the real ones, and the wet-zone populations are Dendrelaphis wickrorum.
Description
The largest specimen in the type series is a female measuring 110 cm (43.3 in) in total length, whereas the males are shorter, up to 79 cm (31.1 in).
Distribution
The snake is found from forest areas of Pundaluoya, Kuda-Waskaduwa, Pinwatta-Panadura and Labugama.
Ecology
Diurnal and predominantly arboreal that hunts in sub-canopy and the understory.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Wickramasinghes' Bronzeback
- Is the Wickramasinghes' Bronzeback venomous?
- No. The Wickramasinghes' Bronzeback (Dendrelaphis wickrorum) 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 Wickramasinghes' Bronzeback poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Wickramasinghes' Bronzeback is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Wickramasinghes' Bronzeback dangerous?
- The Wickramasinghes' Bronzeback is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Wickramasinghes' Bronzeback live?
- The Wickramasinghes' Bronzeback has verified records in 1 country, including Sri Lanka. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- Why is it called the Wickramasinghes' Bronzeback?
- The specific name wickrorum is in honor of prominent herpetologist L. J. Mendis Wickramasinghe and his wife Nethu Wickramasinghe for their remarkable contributions to the field of herpetology in Sri Lanka. It was formerly considered to be Dendrelaphis bifrenalis.
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 wickrorum
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.