Ashok's Bronzeback is a Dendrelaphis (Bronzeback) species endemic to Southern Western Ghats. This beautiful snake is named after famous snake taxonomist Ashok Captain for his contribution in giving unique photographs of various snakes and his efforts in enriching taxonomy of snakes of India. Morphologically It is usually confusing with closest sister species Giri's Bronzeback (D. girii) which is found in the same range. Former is known for having a longer postocular streak of black color which covers posterior of the neck while Giri's Bronzeback bears it in very short form. There is one more easy difference between these two is number of loreal scales. In D. ashoki single loreal is present like most of other Bronzebacks while D. girii is known for having two loreals on each side.
🗒 Synonyms
| synonym | Ahaetulla ahaetulla Smith, 1943 |
| synonym | Dendrelaphis ashoki Vogel & Van Rooijen 2011 |
| synonym | Dendrelaphis ashoki Wallach et al. 2014 |
| synonym | Dendrelaphis pictus Whitaker & Captain, 2004 (in part) |
🗒 Common Names
| English |
|
| Malayalam |
|
| Other |
|
📚 Overview
Summary
Reptile group
snakes
Brief
indiansnakes.org
| Attributions | indiansnakes.org |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
(1) vertebral scales enlarged, smaller than or equal to the dorsals of the first row; (2) 164–180 ventrals; (3) 151–162 divided subcaudals; (4) 15 dorsal scale rows at midbody
Sandeep Das, P S Easa, Jafer Palot
| Attributions | Sandeep Das, P S Easa, Jafer Palot |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
Diagnostic Keys
Head:
A long first sublabial in contact with 3-5 infralabials; supralabial 9 or rarely 8; 4th to 6th in contact with eyes; total 2-4 in contact with eyes; loreal 1; postocular 2; 9–14 temporals (usually 2+2).
Dorsal:
Smooth scales in 15: 15: 9/11 rows; vertebral scales enlarged, smaller than or equal to the dorsals of the first row.
Ventral:
164–180; anal divided.
Sub Caudal:
151–162; paired.
indiansnakes.org
| Attributions | indiansnakes.org |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
|
No Data
📚 Nomenclature and Classification
References
Vogel, Gernot and Johan van Rooijen 2011. Contributions to a Review of the Dendrelaphis pictus (Gmelin, 1789) Complex (Serpentes: Colubridae)—3. The Indian Forms, with the description of a new species from the Western Ghats. Journal of Herpetology, 45(1): 100–110.
Jafer Palot, Zoological Survey of India, Western Ghat Regional Centre; in Venkataraman, K., Chattopadhyay, A. and Subramanian, K.A. (editors). 2013. Endemic Animals of India(vertebrates): 1–235+26 Plates. (Published by the director, Zoological Survey of india, Kolkata)
| Attributions | Jafer Palot, Zoological Survey of India, Western Ghat Regional Centre; in Venkataraman, K., Chattopadhyay, A. and Subramanian, K.A. (editors). 2013. Endemic Animals of India(vertebrates): 1–235+26 Plates. (Published by the director, Zoological Survey of india, Kolkata) |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
eng: Ashok’s Bronzeback Tree Snake
Curated from The Reptile Database
| Attributions | Curated from The Reptile Database |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
No Data
📚 Natural History
Reproduction
Reproductive mode (Reptiles)
Oviparous
Morphology
Dorsal:
Body thin, long, covered with smooth scales. Scales arranged in oblique manner with top row along vertebra larger than adjacent dorsals. Vertebral stripe absent or very faint on forebody only. Color brown or golden-brown; having sky blue color on lower edge of fore and mid body scales which are best visible when snake is in alert or aggressive position. Postocular streak broken into discontinuous blotches and run along the side dorsals.
Ventral:
Belly scales sharply folded upwards. Color yellowish-white or pale yellow with buff coloration on keel. Edge of ventrals and initial dorsal rows having discontinuous series of faint or dark blotches which runs behind the postocular streak. Subcaudal scales with olive tint of yellow or brown color.
Head:
Head flattened, elongated and clearly broader than neck. Upper lip and underside of head white. Top of the head patternless brown. A thin black preocular streak starts from nostril above upper lip. One thick postocular streak stars from posterior of eyes and runs along the posterior of neck; often breaks into blotches on neck. Large eyes with rounded pupils. Tongue color red.
Tail:
Very long, thin and slender tail of brown color which ends with a pointed tip. Subcaudal scales paired in zig-zag manner.
indiansnakes.org
| Attributions | indiansnakes.org |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
Look Alikes
Giri's Bronzeback Tree Snake (Dendrelaphis girii)
Common Bronzeback Tree Snake (Dendrelaphis tristis)
Southern Bronzeback Tree Snake (Dendrelaphis chairecaeos)
indiansnakes.org
| Attributions | indiansnakes.org |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
Trophic Strategy
Feeds on lizards, frogs and small rodents.
indiansnakes.org
| Attributions | indiansnakes.org |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
No Data
📚 Habitat and Distribution
General Habitat
Habitat
Terrestrial
Forests and human habitations
Sandeep Das, P S Easa, Jafer Palot
| Attributions | Sandeep Das, P S Easa, Jafer Palot |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
Description
Found southwards to Central Western Ghats (South of Lat. 18°N) from the state of Karnataka to the southern limits of India. Type locality- Anamalais, India.
indiansnakes.org
| Attributions | indiansnakes.org |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
Distribution:
Souothern Western Ghats in Anamali hills.
Type Locality:
Anamalais, India
Jafer Palot, Zoological Survey of India, Western Ghat Regional Centre; in Venkataraman, K., Chattopadhyay, A. and Subramanian, K.A. (editors). 2013. Endemic Animals of India(vertebrates): 1–235+26 Plates. (Published by the director, Zoological Survey of india, Kolkata)
| Attributions | Jafer Palot, Zoological Survey of India, Western Ghat Regional Centre; in Venkataraman, K., Chattopadhyay, A. and Subramanian, K.A. (editors). 2013. Endemic Animals of India(vertebrates): 1–235+26 Plates. (Published by the director, Zoological Survey of india, Kolkata) |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
Western Ghats
Sandeep Das, P S Easa, Jafer Palot
| Attributions | Sandeep Das, P S Easa, Jafer Palot |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
Endemic Distribution
Endemic to Southern Western Ghats of India.
indiansnakes.org
| Attributions | indiansnakes.org |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
Endemic
Jafer Palot, Zoological Survey of India, Western Ghat Regional Centre; in Venkataraman, K., Chattopadhyay, A. and Subramanian, K.A. (editors). 2013. Endemic Animals of India(vertebrates): 1–235+26 Plates. (Published by the director, Zoological Survey of india, Kolkata)
| Attributions | Jafer Palot, Zoological Survey of India, Western Ghat Regional Centre; in Venkataraman, K., Chattopadhyay, A. and Subramanian, K.A. (editors). 2013. Endemic Animals of India(vertebrates): 1–235+26 Plates. (Published by the director, Zoological Survey of india, Kolkata) |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
No Data
📚 Occurrence
No Data
📚 Demography and Conservation
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List Category
Least Concern
IUCN: Least Concern
indiansnakes.org
| Attributions | indiansnakes.org |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972: Schedule- IV.
Jafer Palot, Zoological Survey of India, Western Ghat Regional Centre; in Venkataraman, K., Chattopadhyay, A. and Subramanian, K.A. (editors). 2013. Endemic Animals of India(vertebrates): 1–235+26 Plates. (Published by the director, Zoological Survey of india, Kolkata)
| Attributions | Jafer Palot, Zoological Survey of India, Western Ghat Regional Centre; in Venkataraman, K., Chattopadhyay, A. and Subramanian, K.A. (editors). 2013. Endemic Animals of India(vertebrates): 1–235+26 Plates. (Published by the director, Zoological Survey of india, Kolkata) |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
Threats
No specific threats are known. It lives in southern Western Ghats and current knowledge says its found commonly there. Road kill mortality can be a cause because of its abundance in forest edges and urban areas also. Habitat loss including disturbing vegetation of moderate height will be one more notable threat like other arboreal snakes.
indiansnakes.org
| Attributions | indiansnakes.org |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
Protection Legal Status
Wildlife Protection Act (1972): Schedule IV
indiansnakes.org
| Attributions | indiansnakes.org |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
No Data
📚 Uses and Management
📚 Information Listing
References
- Uetz, P., Freed, P. & Hošek, J. (eds.), The Reptile Database, http://www.reptile-database.org, accessed 11/12/2018
- Vogel, Gernot and Johan van Rooijen 2011. Contributions to a Review of the Dendrelaphis pictus (Gmelin, 1789) Complex (Serpentes: Colubridae)—3. The Indian Forms, with the Description of a New Species from the Western Ghats. Journal of Herpetology 45 (1): 100-110.
Overview > Diagnostic > Diagnostic Keys
- Vogel G., Rooijen J. V. (2011) Contributions to a review of the Dendrelaphis pictus (Gmelin, 1789) Complex (Serpentes: Colubridae)- 3. The Indian Forms, with the description of a new species from the Western Ghats. Journal of Herpetology, Vol. 45 (1), pp. 100–110
- Chandramouli S. R., Ganesh S. R. (2012) New records of Bronzeback Snakes (Serpentes: Colubridae: Dendrelaphis) from the central Western Ghats of India and a revised Key to south Indian Forms. Sauria, Berlin, 34 (2): 59–62
- Harikrishnan S., V. Deepak Vasudevan K. (2007) Report of Painted Bronze-Back Tree Snake Dendrelaphis pictus Gmelin, 1789 from Anamalais, Western Ghats, India. Zoos’ Print Journal 22 (12): 2929
- Ganesh S. R., Chadramouli S. R., Sreekar R., Shankar P. G. (2013) Reptiles of the Central Western Ghats, India- a reappraisal and revised checklist, with emphasis on the Agumbe Plateau. Russian Journal of Herpetology. Vol. 20 (2), pp. 134- 142
- Blackburn D. G. (1993) Standardized criteria for the recognition of reproductive modes in Squamate Reptiles. Herpetologica, 49 (1), 118-132
- Wallach V., Williams K. L., Boundy J. (2014) Snakes of the World: A catalogue of living and extinct species. Taylor and Francis, CRC Press, 1237 pp.
Information Listing > References
- Uetz, P., Freed, P. & Hošek, J. (eds.), The Reptile Database, http://www.reptile-database.org, accessed 11/12/2018
- Vogel, Gernot and Johan van Rooijen 2011. Contributions to a Review of the Dendrelaphis pictus (Gmelin, 1789) Complex (Serpentes: Colubridae)—3. The Indian Forms, with the Description of a New Species from the Western Ghats. Journal of Herpetology 45 (1): 100-110.
No Data
🐾 Taxonomy
| Root | Root |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Reptilia |
| Order | Squamata |
| Family | Colubridae |
| Genus | Dendrelaphis |
| Species | Dendrelaphis ashoki Vogel & Van Rooijen 2011 |
📊 Temporal Distribution
📷 Related Observations
