Bronzebacks are dark, very slender snakes equally at home on the ground or in low vegetation. They are active during the day and move extremely fast when threatened.
Bronzebacks with white dorsolateral stripe
Striped Bronzeback
Very distinct light dorsolateral stripe bordered in black, several black lines on dorsal region of body, lacks a black eyestripe.
Painted Bronzeback
Distinct light dorsolateral stripe bordered in black, no black lines on top, black eyestripe connects to black body line, red tongue
Mountain Bronzeback
Distinct light dorsolateral stripe, light dorsal stripe on top of forebody, black eyestripe indistinct, 1 large subocular scale, black tongue
Haas’s Bronzeback
Indistinct dorsolateral stripe not edged in black, light brown head and dorsum, narrow black eyestripe often ends early, small and very slender
Bronzebacks without light dorsolateral stripe
Blue Bronzeback
Yellowish chin becomes greenish further back, black eyestripe continues well onto neck, 1st dorsal scale row much lighter than others, throat shows blue when agitated, 135-157 subcaudals
Elegant Bronzeback
Yellowish chin becomes greenish further back, black eyestripe continues onto neck, black stripes on back 1/3 of body, throat shows blue when agitated, slender with large eye
Vogel’s Bronzeback
Yellow chin becomes yellowish-brown further back, black eyestripe continues onto neck and transitions to indistinct black bars, 1st dorsal scale row same color as others, throat shows blue when agitated, 130-135 subcaudals
Nganson Bronzeback
Cream to tan below, black eyestripe only goes short distance onto neck, brown mottling on body, throat shows blue when agitated, large and robust
Banded Bronzeback
Yellow to cream below, thick black eyestripe quickly turns to narrow slanted bars on neck, throat shows yellow when agitated, small in size with 149-167 ventrals and 120-145 subcaudals
Sawtooth-necked Bronzeback
Yellow to green below, thick black eyestripe becomes “sawtooth” on neck then breaks into thick bars, throat has yellowish tint but shows blue when agitated, large with 197-204 ventrals and 148-152 subcaudals
Kopstein’s Bronzeback
Yellowish chin becomes pale green further back, thin black eyestripe ends at corner of jaw, upper portion of neck is rust-colored
