Dendrelaphis biloreatus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dendrelaphis biloreatus |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Dendrelaphis
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| Species: |
biloreatus
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| Synonyms | |
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Dendrelaphis biloreatus (often called Gore's bronzeback or referred to as the Himalayan bronzeback) is a species of tree snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Asia.
Geographic range
D. biloreatus can be found in parts of Northeast India (Darjeeling, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh), northern Myanmar, and Western China (Tibet); it is also reported from Vietnam.
Habitat
The preferred natural habitats of D. biloreatus are forest and shrubland, but it has also been found in agricultural areas.
Description
D. biloreatus is highly variable, typically non-venomous (some have enlarged rear fangs and toxic saliva) with large, regular scales on the head.
Behavior
D. biloreatus is diurnal and fully arboreal.
Reproduction
D. biloreatus is oviparous.
Taxonomy
Dendrelaphis biloreatus was originally described by Wall in 1908 as a species new to science. In 1910 Wall described another new species, Dendrelaphis gorei. In 1943 M.A. Smith determined that Dendrelaphis biloreatus and Dendrophis gorei are the same species, which he placed in the genus Ahaetulla, as Ahaetulla gorei. Since then, this species has been referred to as both Dendrelaphis biloreatus and Dendrelaphis gorei. By precedence Dendrelaphis biloreatus is the correct scientific name, and Dendrelaphis gorei is a junior synonym.
Etymology
The junior synonym Dendrelaphis gorei was named in honor of British army officer St. George Corbet Gore.
