Colubridae · Philippine record
Opisthotropis alcalaiBROWN & LEVITON 1961
Uses freshwater pools near flowing channels. A Naawan specimen occupied a leaf-filled pool in regenerating forest near farmland. Its atlas account links 1 named island or island-group record to the source literature.
Literature updated 2026-10-07 · Editorial review pending
Explore the island records ↓Species portrait
Opisthotropis alcalai
Image to followThe illustrated collection
Adult · study plate
Opisthotropis alcalai
Image to followJuvenile · study plate
Opisthotropis alcalai
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
Uses freshwater pools near flowing channels. A Naawan specimen occupied a leaf-filled pool in regenerating forest near farmland.
Literature documented · p. 528; Fig. 1
One 2019 encounter, Mindanao.
A habitat observation, not a habitat-preference study.
Feeds on tadpoles and aquatic macroinvertebrates, observed in a temporary pool.
Literature documented · p. 528, feeding observation
One individual.
Tadpole species were not confirmed; frog-egg predation was only proposed.
Active feeding occurred around 19:30 during heavy rain.
Literature documented · p. 528
Naawan, March 2019.
No year-round activity schedule is inferred.
Forest conversion, unmanaged tourism and discarded waste affected the observed habitat.
Literature documented · p. 529, site disturbances
Local pressures at the survey site.
Not a current Red List assessment or quantified population decline.
The species account records egg-laying reproduction. A verified Philippine clutch-size range, incubation interval and breeding calendar are not established here.
Literature documented · Reproduction field
Reproductive mode reported for this named species.
Mode alone does not establish litter or clutch size, seasonal timing, or captive husbandry requirements.
The atlas records Opisthotropis alcalai from these named Philippine areas: Mindanao. 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.
Opisthotropis alcalai is retained in the atlas’s dated checklist under Colubridae. The authority is BROWN & LEVITON 1961. 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 (Mindanao) Type locality: Cugat Creek, on the west side of Dapitan Peak, Mt. Malindang, Zamboanga del Norte Province, Mindanao (2500 m).
The atlas records Opisthotropis alcalai from these named Philippine areas: Mindanao. 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.
The Reptile Database — species checklist, 17 June 2026 ↗
Opisthotropis alcalai — The Reptile Database species account ↗
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 (Mindanao) Type locality: Cugat Creek, on the west side of Dapitan Peak, Mt. Malindang, Zamboanga del Norte Province, Mindanao (2500 m).
Names through time
Opisthotropis alcalai BROWN & LEVITON 1961: 2 Opisthotropis alcalai — BROWN & ALCALA 1970: 115 Opisthotropis alcalai — DAVID et al. 2011 Opisthotropis alcalai — WALLACH et al. 2014: 508 Opisthotropis alcalai — MAGLANGIT et al. 2023
Habitat: aquatic, inhabiting flowing streams. Diet: fishes, frogs, tadpoles, freshwater shrimp and earthworms. Behavior: nocturnal
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
Maglangit, E. P. T.; Bonachita, S. A. A.; Arnado, M. J. T.; Nuñeza, O. M.
Herpetology Notes 16: 527–531
Full text consulted. Feeding observation is from one individual; proposed tadpole species and potential egg predation are not confirmed prey identifications.
Uetz, P.; Hallermann, J. et al. (editors)
Public species fields consulted for bounded biological summaries. Primary sources quoted within the database were not independently examined unless explicitly stated. The catalogue name may differ from the current source title.