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Colubridae

Wickramasinghes' Bronzeback

Harmless

Dendrelaphis wickrorum

Wickramasinghes' Bronzeback
Dendrelaphis wickrorum, (c) Albert Kang, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Wickramasinghes' BronzebackWickramasinghes' Bronzeback

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

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

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