Common Mock Viper

Psammodynastes pulverulentus

Description

Psammodynastes pulverulentus a snake species native to Asia, is one of the few snake species that has three hemipene. It has a small body with large eyes, and a triangular head that at a glance resembles a viper. The color varies from yellowish, brownish, yellowish brown, reddish brown, and gray, with a variety of cross-shaped stripes, stripes, spots or spots of darker or lighter color. The colors and patterns in young snakes are usually lighter. There are 17 rows of fine scales in the middle of the body, the ventral scales are 144- 189. subcaudal 44-66. The scales of the lips are usually 8, and the scales of the anus are not split, have large teeth at the front and back of the jaw, but this species is not venomous and harmless.

Population Size

-

Life Span

-

WEIGHT​

-

LENGTH

Average total length 500 mm, maksimum 750 mm

Ca

Carnivore

Di

Diurnal

No

Nocturnal

Te

Terrestrial

Classification

KINGDOM

:

Animalia

PHYLUM

:

Chordata

CLASS

:

Reptilia

ORDER

:

Squamata

FAMILY

:

Colubridae

GENUS

:

Psammodynastes

SPECIES

:

Psammodynastes pulverulentus

Distribution

In Bali it is common in montane forests, and agricultural land between about 1200 and 1500 m above sea level. In other areas it is known to be in various forests and savanna to an altitude of 1600m above sea level, but in many areas it cannot be found in areas less than 700 m above sea level.

Geography

Continent : Asia

Country : India, Nepal, Bangladesh, South China including Hainan Island and Hong Kong, Taiwan, Southeast Asia, Kalimantan, Philippines, Indonesia from Sumatra to Flores, and Sulawesi

Habits and Lifestyle

The Mock Viper is a day-active, mostly terrestrial, snake and is therefore often found in leaf litter, although they are also known to climb small shrubs and vegetation especially in watery areas. They also usually exhibit early aggressive behavior by turning their fronts into a defensive ‘S’ position. They will strike mostly with fake bites and occasionally real attacks, but their small size makes real bites relatively harmless.

Lifestyle

Terrestrial

Biome

Variety forest

Climate Zone

Tropical

Diet and Nutrition

This species is carnivorous. Its main diet is lizards and frogs

Diet : Carnivora

Mating Habits

Ovoviviparous species, in which the female gives birth to 3 – 10 young, each measuring a total length of about 150 – 180 mm. on Komodo Island, these snakes are born during the rainy season. Male snakes can mature when their SVL reaches 288 mm, while females have 320 mm SVL sizes.

Reproduction session : Rainy season

Incubation periods: –

Independent age : at birth

Baby name : –

Baby carrying : 3 – 10 young

PHOTO GALLERY

Reference

  1. Psammodynastes pulverulentus Hongkong Snake ID Website
  2. McKay, J.L. 2006. Reptil and Amphibi di Bali. Krieger Publishing Company, Florida, USA.