Colubridae · Philippine record
Lycodon alcalaiOTA & ROSS 1994
The diagnosis describes smooth dorsal scales and no clear body or tail banding. More than 200 ventrals help distinguish the reported material from L. chrysoprateros. 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
Lycodon alcalai
Image to followThe illustrated collection
Adult · study plate
Lycodon alcalai
Image to followJuvenile · study plate
Lycodon 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
The 2026 revision uses Stegonotus alcalai. This page retains the earlier checklist name and address for continuity.
Literature documented · Section 4.3, pp. 13–14
Nomenclatural update; the original checklist and records remain separate.
Biological records are not reassigned between species by a change of genus alone.
The diagnosis describes smooth dorsal scales and no clear body or tail banding. More than 200 ventrals help distinguish the reported material from L. chrysoprateros.
Literature documented · Diagnosis; Comment: comparisons
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 Lycodon alcalai from these named Philippine areas: Batan. 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 (Batan Island) Type locality: Batan Island (20'25'N, 121° 58’ E), Batan Island group, approximately 2.5 km ENE of Basco on the W slope of Mt. Iraya, elevation 150 m.
The atlas records Lycodon alcalai from these named Philippine areas: Batan. 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 ↗
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 (Batan Island) Type locality: Batan Island (20'25'N, 121° 58’ E), Batan Island group, approximately 2.5 km ENE of Basco on the W slope of Mt. Iraya, elevation 150 m.
Names through time
Lycodon alcalai OTA & ROSS 1994: 159 Lycodon alcalai — WALLACH et al. 2014: 391
Lycodon alcalai and L. chrysoprateros differ from all other Philippine species of Lycodon in lacking transverse light bands on all of the body and tail. Lycodon alcalai differs from L. chrysoprateros in having more than 200 ventral scales (less than 195 in L. chrysoprateros).
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.
Bernstein, J. M. et al.
Section 4.3, pp. 13–14. Current names are annotated without merging or reassigning historical atlas records.