Wildlifeof Sri Lanka
Schokar's Bronzeback
Colubrid Snakes
Photo: klukoff · CC BY 4.0 (May be cropped or resized)
Dendrelaphis schokari
Basic stats
Diet
Frogs, lizards, geckos, skinks, insects and small birds' eggs
Habitat
Forests and open areas in all climatic zones, from lowlands to about 750m
Range
Endemic to Sri Lanka
Size
One adult female: snout-vent 51cm, tail 22.5cm
Schokar's bronzeback, known in Sinhala as tharu or mookalan haaldanda, is a non-venomous tree snake endemic to Sri Lanka. It lives in forests and open areas in all climatic zones, from the lowlands to about 750 m. It is diurnal, and although a tree snake it is also seen foraging on the ground. It is easily told from other bronzebacks by a cream-coloured spotted line on the olive green back, running from the neck to the middle of the front body (Wikipedia, general species account).
Its prey includes frogs, lizards, geckos, skinks, insects and the eggs of small birds, and it can make long jumps between trees when chasing prey. The described adult female measured 51 cm from snout to vent with a 22.5 cm tail. Nationally Least Concern (Sri Lanka National Red List 2012).
Quick answers
- What does the Schokar's Bronzeback eat?
- Frogs, lizards, geckos, skinks, insects and small birds' eggs
- What habitat does the Schokar's Bronzeback live in?
- Forests and open areas in all climatic zones, from lowlands to about 750m
- Where is the Schokar's Bronzeback found?
- Endemic to Sri Lanka
- How big is the Schokar's Bronzeback?
- One adult female: snout-vent 51cm, tail 22.5cm