Family : COLUBRIDAE
Species: Dendrelaphis striatus
Maximum Size : 102 cm

Cohn's Bronzeback, also known as 'Banded Bronzeback' or 'Striated Bronzeback', is one of the most stunning examples of the genus Dendrelaphis: snakes of this genus are equally at home on the forest floor as well as amongst tree branches and other vegetation. The species appears to be largely restricted to lowland forest, where it is exclusively diurnal.

The overall form of this snake is typical of bronzebacks: its body is slender, its tail is long and whip-like, its head is relatively small and its eyes are large.

The colour and patterning of this species makes it easily identifiable. The anterior part of its body is yellowish and the posterior part is blue. The entire body bears numerous oblique black bands which are thinner towards the neck and thicker elsewhere. The top of the head is bronze brown, and a thick dark stripe extends from the snout, through the eye to the neck.

The neck and anterior part of the body are yellow when inflated, for example when the snake is stressed.

Cohn's Bronzeback occurs in southern Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra and Borneo.

In Peninsular Malaysia seven species of Dendrelaphis have been recorded. Of these, Cohn's Bronzeback is the only one not to have been found in Singapore.

Figs 1 and 2 : Example from the island of Tioman, Pahang, off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Photos thanks to Serin Subaraj.

Fig 3 : Example from Kubah, Sarawak, Borneo with neck and anterior part of the body inflated.  Photo thanks to Law Ingg Thong.


References :

Das, I., 2010. A Field Guide to the Reptiles of South-east Asia. New Holland Publishers (UK) Ltd.