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 | |
|---|---|
 | |
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) which was discovered in Tawi-Tawi Island, Sulu Archipelago.[1]
- Dendrelaphis caudolineatus luzonensis (Leviton, 1964) is found in Luzon, Philippines.[2]
- Dendrelaphis caudolineatus modestus (Boulenger, 1894) is found on the Maluku Islands and other regions of Indonesia.[3]
- Dendrelaphis caudolineatus terrificus (Peters, 1871) is found across northeast Sulawesi and into Mindanao. It is also found in the islands of Panay and Negros, Philippines.[2]
References
- Gaulke, Maren (1994). "CONTRIBUTION TO THE SNAKE FAUNA OF THE SULU ARCHIPELAG O, WITH THE DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SUBSPECIES OF DENDRELAPHIS CAUDOL INEATUS (GRAY, 1 834)". Herpetological Journal. 4: 136–144. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
- Guide to Philippine Flora and Fauna: Amphibians and reptiles. Natural Resources Management Center, Ministry of Natural Resources and University of the Philippines. 1986. ISBN 978-971-10-2628-8. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
- David, Patrick; Vogel, Gernot (1996). The Snakes of Sumatra: An Annotated Checklist and Key with Natural History Notes. Ed. Chimaira. p. 75. ISBN 978-3-930612-08-6. Retrieved 16 December 2021.