Colubridae · Philippine record
Coelognathus philippinus(GRIFFIN 1909)
Coelognathus philippinus is a Colubridae snake included in the Philippine checklist. Its atlas account links 4 named island or island-group records to the source literature.
Literature updated 2026-10-07 · Editorial review pending
Explore the island records ↓Species portrait
Coelognathus philippinus
Image to followThe illustrated collection
Adult · study plate
Coelognathus philippinus
Image to followJuvenile · study plate
Coelognathus philippinus
Image to followLife stages will be labelled from the contributor’s information. Images alone do not establish identification or a locality record.
Media provenance
Contributor images are forthcoming. Photographs and illustrations will retain their individual credits, permissions and evidence notes.
A closer look
The atlas records Coelognathus philippinus from these named Philippine areas: Palawan, Busuanga, Balabac, Tawi-Tawi. These are literature areas rather than a continuous range boundary.
Literature documented · Existing checklist occurrence statement and distribution review
The original evidence level is retained.
A country listing cannot establish an island or a precise locality.
Coelognathus philippinus is retained in the atlas’s dated checklist under Colubridae. The authority is (GRIFFIN 1909). Earlier names and the original source notes are preserved below for comparison.
Literature documented · Checklist identity and nomenclatural trail
Checklist verified 2026-09-05; not a newly revised taxonomic backbone.
Historical names can cover different biological concepts; synonyms should not be used to transfer records automatically.
Across the archipelago
Documented islands: gold · island groups: dashed circles
Island-level records · not continuous habitat coverage. Dashed circles locate groups, not individual observations.
Philippine distribution
Select an island to read its distribution record and sources. Uncoloured islands are not evidence of absence.
Philippines: Balabac, Bongao, Busuanga, Culion, Palawan, Sanga Sanga, Sibutu, Tawitawi. Type locality: "Iwabig, Palawan, Philippines" (lectotype locality)
The atlas records Coelognathus philippinus from these named Philippine areas: Palawan, Busuanga, Balabac, Tawi-Tawi. These are literature areas rather than a continuous range boundary.
The Reptile Database — species checklist, 17 June 2026 ↗Existing checklist occurrence statement and distribution review
Synopsis of the Snakes of the Philippines: A Synthesis of Data from Biodiversity Repositories, Field Studies, and the Literature ↗Existing checklist occurrence statement and distribution review
References attached to this species account. Island-specific evidence is shown separately where available.
Living with wildlife
Venom classification not yet added · Effects not yet summarised in this atlas
Observe from a distance. Do not handle, corner or capture a snake to identify it. An incomplete venom account is not evidence that a species is safe to handle.
After a suspected snakebite, keep the person still and arrange urgent medical care. Avoid tight tourniquets, cutting, suction and unproven remedies. Do not wait to identify the snake before seeking help.
WHO guidance on snakebite first aidSpecies record
Range noteCountry/island text is not a range polygon or locality record.
Philippines: Balabac, Bongao, Busuanga, Culion, Palawan, Sanga Sanga, Sibutu, Tawitawi. Type locality: "Iwabig, Palawan, Philippines" (lectotype locality)
Names through time
Elaphe philippina GRIFFIN 1909: 597 Elaphe philippina — TAYLOR 1922: 159 Elaphe erythrura philippina — LEVITON 1963: 382 Elaphe erythrura philippina — LEVITON 1979: 113 Elaphe erythrura philippina — GAULKE 1994: 140 Elaphe erythrura philippina — GAULKE 1996: 50 Elaphe erythrura philippina — SCHULZ 1996: 121 Elaphe erythrura philippina — GAULKE 1999: 278 Coelognathus philippinus — HELFENBERGER 2001 Coelognathus philippinus — HUANG et al. 2008 Coelognathus philippinus — WALLACH et al. 2014: 170
Uetz, P.; Freed, P.; Aguilar, R.; Reyes, F.; Kudera, J.; Hošek, J. (eds.)
Leviton, A. E.; Siler, C. D.; Weinell, J. L.; Brown, R. M.
Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences 64(14): 399–568