Dendrelaphis biloreatus


Dendrelaphis biloreatus is a species of tree snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Asia.

Geographic range

D. biloreatus can be found in parts of Northeast India, northern Myanmar, and Western China ; it is also reported from Vietnam.

Description

D. biloreatus is highly variable, typically non-venomous with large, regular scales on the head.

Taxonomy

Dendrelaphis biloreatus was originally described by Wall in 1910 as Dendrophis gorei, a species new to science. Wall had already described in 1908 another new species, Dendrelaphis biloreatus. In 1943 M.A. Smith determined that Dendrophis gorei and Dendrelaphis biloreatus are the same species, which he placed in the genus Ahaetulla, as Ahaetulla biloreatus. Since then, this species has been referred to as both Dendrelaphis gorei and Dendrelaphis biloreatus. By precedence Dendrelaphis biloreatus is the correct scientific name, and Dendrelaphis gorei is a junior synonym.