Dendrelaphis caudolineatus
Dendrelaphis caudolineatus is a common species of colubrid snake known commonly as the striped bronzeback or bronze tree snake. It is erroneously called 'garter snake' in the Philippines. It is not venomous and it is the most commonly sold snake as a pet. Though in captivity, they don't live as long as in the wild.
| Striped Bronzeback | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Colubridae |
| Genus: | Dendrelaphis |
| Species: | D. caudolineatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Dendrelaphis caudolineatus (Gray, 1834) | |
There are five subspecies which range in distribution from: southern Burma to Sulawesi, the Philippines and the Maluku Islands.
Description
Dendrelaphis caudolineatus is a rather small and thin snake, it can reach a length of 180 centimeters but is usually closer to 140 cm.
The males are usually thinner than females but are more colorful, ranging from a reddish shade or bright chestnut brown, to a shiny bronze color. The females are usually dull-colored, and more stout-bodied than the males. It is also observed that females of this species tend to be less active than the males.
It is mostly arboreal but rarely climbs higher than 4 meters and is mostly found in the open ground or on grassy plains. It has been recorded in most habitats in its range, from coastal lowlands to mountainous areas up to 1500 in elevation. It feeds mainly on lizards and tree frogs.
Dendrelaphis caudolineatus, adult, Khao Sok National Park, Thailand
Subspecies
- Dendrelaphis caudolineatus caudolineatus (Gray, 1834) is fairly widespread from Myanmar−Burma and Thailand to Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, Sumatra, and into the Philippines.
- Dendrelaphis caudolineatus flavescens (Gaulke, 1994) is found in the Sulu Archipelago.
- Dendrelaphis caudolineatus luzonensis (Leviton, 1964) is found on the southern islands of the Philippines.
- Dendrelaphis caudolineatus modestus (Boulenger, 1894) is found on the Maluku Islands.
- Dendrelaphis caudolineatus terrificus (Peters, 1871) is found across northeast Sulawesi and into Mindanao in the southern Philippines.