About Psammodynastes pulverulentus (Boie, 1827)
Common Name and Origin
Psammodynastes pulverulentus, commonly called the common mock viper, is a species of snake native to Asia.
Size
It is a small species, reaching a maximum total length of 65 cm (26 in), with males reaching smaller sizes.
Defensive Behavior
When threatened, this species forms defensive coils and strikes in a viper-like manner, but it is harmless to humans.
Distribution Range
The known distribution of the common mock viper covers Bangladesh, Myanmar (Burma), Cambodia, China (including Fujian, Yunnan, Guangxi, Guangdong, Hainan, and Hong Kong), north-eastern India (including Assam, Sikkim, Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Meghalaya, and Arunachal Pradesh), Bhutan, Indonesia (including 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, and Togian Archipelago), Laos, Malaysia (including Malaya, East Malaysia, and Pulau Tioman), Nepal, the Philippines (including Balabac, Basilan, Bohol, Bongao, Busuanga, Dinagat, Jolo, Leyte, Luzon, Mindanao, Negros, Palawan, Panay, Polillo, and Samar), Taiwan, Thailand (including Phuket), and Vietnam.
Additional Distribution Record
It has also been reported from Singapore.
Subspecies
One recognized subspecies, Psammodynastes pulverulentus papenfussi, is endemic to Taiwan.
