Psammodynastes pulverulentus

Psammodynastes pulverulentus, the common mock viper, is a species of snake native to Asia.

Psammodynastes pulverulentus
In Northeast India
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Psammodynastidae
Genus:	Psammodynastes
Species:	P. pulverulentus
Binomial name
Psammodynastes pulverulentus (H. Boie in F. Boie, 1827)
Synonyms
Psammophis pulverulenta Boie, 1827

It is a small snake (total length up to 65 cm (26 in), less in males), and it will form defensive coils and strike in a viper-like fashion when threatened,^[2] although it is harmless to humans.^[3]

Distribution

The common mock viper is known from Bangladesh, Myanmar (Burma), Cambodia, China (Fujian, Yunnan, Guangxi, Guangdong, Hainan, Hong Kong^[4]), north-eastern India (Assam, Sikkim, Darjeeling; Jalpaiguri; Meghalaya, Arunachal 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, Malaysia (Malaya and East Malaysia, Pulau Tioman), Nepal, the Philippines (Balabac, Basilan, Bohol, Bongao, Busuanga, Dinagat, Jolo, Leyte, Luzon, Mindanao, Negros, Palawan, Panay, Polillo, Samar), Taiwan, Thailand^[3] (incl. Phuket), and Vietnam.^[5] It has been reported from Singapore.^[1]

Subspecies Psammodynastes pulverulentus papenfussi is endemic to Taiwan.^[2][5]

Gallery

• 
  In Nam Nao National Park, Thailand
• 
  In Phu Kradueng National Park, Thailand
• 
  In Vietnam