Dendrelaphis kopsteini

Dendrelaphis kopsteini
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Subfamily: Ahaetuliinae
Genus: Dendrelaphis
Species:
D. kopsteini
Binomial name
Dendrelaphis kopsteini

Dendrelaphis kopsteini, also known commonly as Kopstein's bronzeback snake, is a species of snake in the subfamily Ahaetuliinae of the family Colubridae. The species is native to Southeast Asia.

Etymology

The specific name, kopsteini, is in honor of Felix Kopstein, who was an Austrian physician and naturalist, and did field work in the Dutch East Indies.[2]

Description

D. kopsteini is the only species in its genus with red coloration on the anterior part of the body. The dorsal scales are arranged in 15 rows at midbody. The ventrals number 167–181, and the subcaudals number 140–154.[3]

Geographic range

D. kopsteini is found in Brunei, Indonesia, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand.[3]

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of D. kopsteini is forest, at altitudes from sea level to 624 m (2,047 ft), but it has also been found in artificial habitats such as village gardens.[1]

Behavior

D. kopsteini is arboreal and diurnal.[3]

Diet

D. kopsteini preys predominately upon lizards, and to a lesser extent upon frogs.[1]

Reproduction

D. kopsteini is oviparous.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b c Vogel, G.; Dehling, M. (2013). "Dendrelaphis kopsteini ". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2013: e.T192015A44271615. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  2. ^ Beolens B, Watkins M, Grayson M (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Dendrelaphis kopsteini, p. 145).
  3. ^ a b c d Dendrelaphis kopsteini at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 26 February 2016.

Further reading

  • Chan-ard T, Parr JWK, Nabhitabhata J (2015). A Field Guide to the Reptiles of Thailand. New York: Oxford University Press. 352 pp. ISBN 978-0-19-973649-2 (hardcover), ISBN 978-0-19-973650-8 (paperback).
  • Das I (2012). A Naturalist's Guide to the Snakes of South-East Asia: Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Myanmar, Borneo, Sumatra, Java and Bali. Oxford, England: John Beaufoy Publishing. 176 pp. ISBN 978-1906780708.
  • McCleary, Ryan J. R.; Ichtiarani, Reyla (2015). "Predation of a non-native changeable lizard (Calotes versicolor) by the native Kopstein's bronzeback snake (Dendrelaphis kopsteini) in Singapore". Herpetology Notes 8: 303–304.
  • Vogel G, van Rooijen J (2007). "A new species of Dendrelaphis (Serpentes: Colubridae) from Southeast Asia". Zootaxa 1394: 25–45. (Dendrelaphis kopsteini, new species).



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