Colubridae · Philippine record
Oligodon notospilusGÜNTHER 1873
Oligodon notospilus is a Colubridae snake included in the Philippine checklist. Its atlas account links 5 named island or island-group records to the source literature.
Literature updated 2026-10-07 · Editorial review pending
Explore the island records ↓Species portrait
Oligodon notospilus
Image to followThe illustrated collection
Adult · study plate
Oligodon notospilus
Image to followJuvenile · study plate
Oligodon notospilus
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 2018 synopsis is cited as questioning the type-locality information because verified records are associated with the Palawan island group. The locality conflict is retained for review.
Literature documented · Comment: distribution
Species-level database summary; literature review, not expert validation.
The cited account does not establish population-wide variation or the conditions at every Philippine locality.
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 Oligodon notospilus from these named Philippine areas: Palawan, Mindanao, Calamian, Busuanga, Balabac. 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.
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 (Palawan: Calamian Islands, Busuanga, Balabac, Mindanao) Type locality: Mindanao Id., Philippines (but see comment)
The atlas records Oligodon notospilus from these named Philippine areas: Palawan, Mindanao, Calamian, Busuanga, Balabac. 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 ↗
Oligodon notospilus — 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 (Palawan: Calamian Islands, Busuanga, Balabac, Mindanao) Type locality: Mindanao Id., Philippines (but see comment)
Names through time
Oligodon notospilus GÜNTHER 1873: 169 Oligodon schadenbergi BOETTGER 1895 Oligodon iwahigensis GRIFFIN 1909 Oligodon iwahigensis — GRIFFIN 1911: 260 Oligodon schadenbergi — GRIFFIN 1911: 260 Oligodon iwahigensis — TAYLOR 1922: 149 Oligodon schadenbergi — TAYLOR 1922: 151 Oligodon vertebralis notospilus — LEVITON 1963: 477 Oligodon notospilus — FRANK & RAMUS 1995 Oligodon vertebralis notospilus — GAULKE 1999 Oligodon notospilus — DAVID & VOGEL 2012 Oligodon notospilus — WALLACH et al. 2014: 501
Distribution: Leviton et al. 2018 believe that the locality data accompanying the type specimen to be in error as this species is known only from islands in the Palawan Archipelago. For details see comments by Leviton (1963: 478).
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
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.