Painted Bronzeback

Dendrelaphis pictus

Painted Bronzeback found in Vietnam (photo by Scott Trageser, http://www.naturestills.com)

Closeup of Painted Bronzeback (photo by Scott Trageser) naturestills.com

Painted Bronzeback in Krabi Province (photo by Tom Charlton, venomlogic.com)

Painted Bronzeback in Sumutra (photo by Curtis Hart)

Painted Bronzeback in tree in Singapore (photo by Ria Tan)

Painted Bronzeback in Singapore (Image by Nick Baker, ecologyasia.com)

Painted Bronzeback in Laos (photo by Thomas Calame)

Painted Bronzeback in Malaysia (photo by Tom Charlton, venomlogic.com)

Head shot of Painted Bronzeback (photo by Tom Charlton, venomlogic.com)

Head shot of Painted Bronzeback in Malaysia (photo by orionmystery.blogspot.com)

English name: Painted Bronzeback (aka “Common Bronzeback”)
Scientific name: Dendrelaphis pictus
Thai name: Ngu Sai-man Pra Inthra

Description: To 125 cm long. A long, slender snake. Body is olive or brown above with a yellow to cream line running down its side and a thicker black line just above it. Head is bronze above and yellowish below, with a black eyestripe between that connects to the black body line. Belly is pale yellowish.

Similar Species: Indo-Chinese Sand Snake lacks the black line and has yellow lines positioned in the brown background such that the yellow and brown striping have roughly the same width.
Copperhead Racer lacks the yellow stripe and has dark lines radiating from its eye.

Habitat: Found in forests, scrubland, parks, and agriculture. Will sometimes be seen on the edge of small clearings or in other habitat transitions that get more sunlight. Is partially arboreal and often found in bushes or small trees.

Place in the ecosystem: Eats frogs and lizards. Is fed on by larger snakes and birds of prey.

Danger to humans: Will bite if threatened but is not dangerous to humans.

Conservation status and threats: No known conservation threats.

Interesting facts: The Painted Bronzeback is quick and flighty and will usually flee immediately when approached. If it is cornered and can no longer flee it will inflate its body, showing off the bluish skin between its scales.

References:
Ecology Asia: Painted Bronzeback
Wikipedia: Painted Bronzeback
A Photographic Guide to Snakes and Other Reptiles of Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand
A Field Guide to the Reptiles of South-East Asia