Psammodynastidae · Philippine record
Psammodynastes pulverulentus(BOIE 1827)
Venom: Basic classification explicitly recorded in the species account. Detailed effects and medical significance have not yet been summarised here.
Species account, Comments
Venom effects and medical significance are different from toxicity rankings. Do not handle a snake on the basis of this summary.
The account describes variable brown coloration with speckling, an angular head outline and a vertical pupil. Superficial resemblance to a viper does not establish either identity or medical risk. Its atlas account links 15 named island or island-group records to the source literature.
Literature updated 2026-10-07 · Editorial review pending
Explore the island records ↓Species portrait
Psammodynastes pulverulentus
Image to followThe illustrated collection
Adult · study plate
Psammodynastes pulverulentus
Image to followJuvenile · study plate
Psammodynastes pulverulentus
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 account describes variable brown coloration with speckling, an angular head outline and a vertical pupil. Superficial resemblance to a viper does not establish either identity or medical risk.
Literature documented · Comment: Description; Diagnosis
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.
Frogs and lizards, including skinks, are reported as prey. This is a qualitative summary rather than a measured diet for Philippine populations.
Literature documented · Comment: Diet; Miller & Zug (2016)
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 live-bearing reproduction, using the term ovoviviparous. A verified Philippine litter-size range and reproductive 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 Psammodynastes pulverulentus from these named Philippine areas: Luzon, Palawan, Mindanao, Samar, Leyte, Panay, Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Basilan, Jolo, Polillo, Dinagat, 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.
Psammodynastes pulverulentus is retained in the atlas’s dated checklist under Psammodynastidae. The authority is (BOIE 1827). 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.
Bangladesh, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, China (Fujian, Yunnan, Guangxi, Guangdong, Hainan), Hong Kong NE India (Tripura, Meghalaya, Assam, Mizoram, Sikkim, Darjelling; Arunachal Pradesh [A. Captain, pers. comm.], Andhra 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 (Vientiane, Attapu, Champasak, Khammouan, Louangphrabang, Savannakhét, Xiangkhoang), Nepal, Bhutan, Philippines (Balabac, Basilan, Bohol, Bongao, Busuanga, Dinagat, Jolo, Leyte, Luzon, Cebu, Mindanao, Negros, Palawan, Panay, Polillo, Samar) Taiwan (incl. Lanyu), Thailand (incl. Phuket), Vietnam (Hoa Binh), Malaysia (Malaya and East Malaysia, Borneo, Pulau Tioman) Type locality: Java papenfussi: Taiwan. Type locality: Kararu (= Kueitzuchiao), Koshun District (= Henchun Twon), Takao-Shu Province (now Pintung Hsien), Taiwan, elevation 150 m.
The atlas records Psammodynastes pulverulentus from these named Philippine areas: Luzon, Palawan, Mindanao, Samar, Leyte, Panay, Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Basilan, Jolo, Polillo, Dinagat, 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 ↗
Psammodynastes pulverulentus — The Reptile Database species account ↗
Living with wildlife
Venomous · 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.
Bangladesh, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, China (Fujian, Yunnan, Guangxi, Guangdong, Hainan), Hong Kong NE India (Tripura, Meghalaya, Assam, Mizoram, Sikkim, Darjelling; Arunachal Pradesh [A. Captain, pers. comm.], Andhra 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 (Vientiane, Attapu, Champasak, Khammouan, Louangphrabang, Savannakhét, Xiangkhoang), Nepal, Bhutan, Philippines (Balabac, Basilan, Bohol, Bongao, Busuanga, Dinagat, Jolo, Leyte, Luzon, Cebu, Mindanao, Negros, Palawan, Panay, Polillo, Samar) Taiwan (incl. Lanyu), Thailand (incl. Phuket), Vietnam (Hoa Binh), Malaysia (Malaya and East Malaysia, Borneo, Pulau Tioman) Type locality: Java papenfussi: Taiwan. Type locality: Kararu (= Kueitzuchiao), Koshun District (= Henchun Twon), Takao-Shu Province (now Pintung Hsien), Taiwan, elevation 150 m.
Names through time
Psammophis pulverulenta H. BOIE in F. BOIE 1827: 547 Dipsas ferruginea CANTOR 1839: 53 Psammophis pulverulentus — DUMÉRIL & BIBRON 1854: 895 Dipsas ferruginea — BLYTH 1856: 715 Psammodynastes pulverulentus — GÜNTHER 1858: 140 Psammophis floresianus BLEEKER 1859 (nomen nudum) Psammophis floresianus — BLEEKER 1860 Lycodon bairdii STEINDACHNER 1867: 90 Psammodynastes pulverulentus — BOULENGER 1896: 172 Psammodynastes pulverulentus — SMITH 1943 Anisodon lilljeborgi ROSEN 1905 Psammodynastes pulverulentus — STEJNEGER 1907: 383 Psammodynastes pulverulentus — TAYLOR 1965: 895 Psammodynastes pulverulentus — MANTHEY & GROSSMANN 1997: 379 Psammodynastes pulverulentus — COX et al. 1998: 49 Psammodynastes pulverulentus — ZIEGLER 2002: 248 Psamodynastes pulverulentus pulverulentus — ZHAO 2006 Psamodynastes pulverulentus — DAS et al. 2009 (in error) Psammodynastes pulverulentus — WALLACH et al. 2014: 585 Psammodynastes pulverulentus pulverulentus — KOCH 2012 Psamodynastes pulverulentus — KADAFI et al. 2020 (in error) Psaminodynastes pulverulentus — TENZIN et al 2022 (in error) Psammodynastes pulverulentus papenfussi ZHAO 1995 Psammodynastes pulverulentus papenfussi — RODRIGUEZ-ROBLES et al. 2003 Psammodynastes pulverulentus papenfussi — ZHAO 2006
Venomous. Its poison acts quickly on the small reptiles and amphibians upon which it preys, but it is not regarded as dangerous to man. (Taylor 1965: 895) Description: Fairly variable species in various shades of brown with speckles. Behavior: diurnal. Taxonomy: While this genus and species has been assigned to Lamprophiidae, incertae sedis, by Pyron et al. 2011, recent studies (e.g. by Zaher et al. 2019) do not support that affiliation. The phylogenetic position of Psammodynastes remained contentious until Das et al. 2024 established that the genus belongs to a different clade who they assigned to a separate family, Psammodynastidae Das et al. 2024. This was confirmed by Weinell et al. 2024. Distribution: See map in Miller & Zug 2016, Rasmussen 1975. Diet: frogs, lizards (especially skinks, Limnonectes, Miller & Zug 2016) Type species: Psammophis pulverulenta H. BOIE in F. BOIE 1827: 547 is the type species of the genus Psammodynastes GÜNTHER 1858. Genome: Roberts et al. 2024.
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.