Psammodynastes pulverulentus

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Psammodynastes pulverulentus
Common Mock Viper Psammodynastes pulverulentus by Ashahar alias Krishna Khan.jpg
In Northeast India
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Psammodynastidae
Genus: Psammodynastes
Species:
P. pulverulentus
Binomial name
Psammodynastes pulverulentus
(H. Boie in F. Boie, 1827)
Synonyms
  • Psammophis pulverulentaBoie, 1827

Psammodynastes pulverulentus, the common mock viper, is a species of snake native to Asia.

Contents

It is a small snake (total length up to 65 cm (26 in), less in males), and it will form defensive coils and strike in a viper-like fashion when threatened, [2] although it is harmless to humans. [3]

Distribution

The common mock viper is known from Bangladesh, Myanmar (Burma), Cambodia, China (Fujian, Yunnan, Guangxi, Guangdong, Hainan, Hong Kong [4] ), north-eastern India (Assam, Sikkim, Darjeeling; Jalpaiguri; Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh), Bhutan, Indonesia (Bali, Bangka, Borneo, Butung, Enggano, Flores, Java, Kalimantan, Komodo, Lombok, Mentawai Archipelago, Natuna Archipelago, Padar, Riau Archipelago, Rinca, Sangihe Archipelago, Sulawesi, Sula Archipelago, Sumatra, Sumba, Sumbawa, Togian Archipelago), Laos, Malaysia (Malaya and East Malaysia, Pulau Tioman), Nepal, the Philippines (Balabac, Basilan, Bohol, Bongao, Busuanga, Dinagat, Jolo, Leyte, Luzon, Mindanao, Negros, Palawan, Panay, Polillo, Samar), Taiwan, Thailand [3] (incl. Phuket), and Vietnam. [5] It has been reported from Singapore. [1]

Subspecies Psammodynastes pulverulentus papenfussi is endemic to Taiwan. [2] [5]

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References

  1. 1 2 Wogan, G.; Grismer, L.; Chan-Ard, T.; Srinivasulu, C.; Srinivasulu, B.; Das, A.; Agarwal, I.; Mohapatra, P.; Diesmos, A.C.; Delima, E.M.; Tampos, G.; Gonzalez, J.C.; Jose, R.; Rusli, N.; Iskandar, D.; Ghosh, A.; Tshewang, S.; Limbu, K.P.; Khan, M.; Pitogo, K. (2022) [amended version of 2021 assessment]. "Psammodynastes pulverulentus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2022: e.T184062A219112572. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-2.RLTS.T184062A219112572.en . Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  2. 1 2 Hans Breuer; William Christopher Murphy (2009–2010). "Psammodynastes pulverulentus". www.snakesoftaiwan.com. Retrieved 14 October 2012.
  3. 1 2 "Mock Viper Psammodynastes pulverulentus". Thailand Snakes.
  4. "Psammodynastes pulverulentus (Boie, 1827), Mock Viper 紫沙蛇". Reptiles in Hong Kong.
  5. 1 2 Psammodynastes pulverulentus at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database . Accessed 14 October 2012.

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