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Tree snakes
Dendrelaphis - Boulenger, 1890

Pronunciation: DEN-drel-AH-fiss
Etymology: 'tree Elaphe', after another genus of colubrid snake.

Taxonomic notes:

Notes: About 15 species distributed through south-east Asia and Australia. Two species occur in Australia.
Statistics: Reproductive modes:
Oviparous - 2 out of 2 Australian species

Size range:
Smallest Australian species: northern tree snake (Dendrelaphis calligastra) at 80 cm
 Longest Australian species: common tree snake (Dendrelaphis punctulatus) at up to 200 cm
Number of Australian species: 2
 
northern tree snake (Dendrelaphis calligastra)
Mount Lewis, Queensland
Photo © Stephen Zozaya 		northern tree snake (Dendrelaphis calligastra) distribution range map Dendrelaphis calligastra
Northern tree snake
Year described
(Günther 1867)
Description
Long and slender with a relatively long tail. Triangular in cross-section. The eye is large, with a dark streak running from the eye along the neck. The skin between the scales is a pale blue. When the snake expands its body, these pale specks become obvious.
common tree snake (Dendrelaphis punctulatus)
Eungella region, Queensland
Photo © Stewart Macdonald 		common tree snake (Dendrelaphis punctulatus) distribution range map Dendrelaphis punctulatus
Common tree snake
Year described
(Gray 1826)
Description
Colour is variable, with different geographic populations tending to be of a similar colour. May be blue, brown, black or green above; belly generally yellow, sometimes white. The skin between the scales is a pale blue. When the snake expands its body, these pale specks become obvious.
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