Indo-Chinese Sand Snake

Psammophis indochinensis

Description

Indo-chinese Sand Snakes are medium in size. The upper part is yellowish brown, olive, to yellowish brown, with four stripes of medium brown to dark brown across the body, which are often lighter or chestnut in color, with darker brown edges. The area in the middle along the back can also be chestnut color. Sometimes the stripes are not very clear. The top of the head can be brown or chestnut, or striped with a darker color. The stripes on the sides of the body which are dark in color extend past the eyes to the muzzle and at this point may be darker in color. The upper lip is usually lighter in color than the rest of the body. The underside is yellow to grayish white, the chin and neck may be sprinkled with black or gray spots. The sides of his stomach are scaly and black markings, forming a continuous line along the sides.

Population Size

Stable

Life Span

-

WEIGHT​

-

LENGTH

Total average length of 850 mm, maximum 1.1 m

Ar

Arboreal

Ca

Carnivore

Di

Diurnal

Te

Terrestrial

Classification

KINGDOM

:

Animalia

PHYLUM

:

Chordata

CLASS

:

Reptilia

ORDER

:

Squamata

FAMILY

:

Psammophiidae

GENUS

:

Psammophis

SPECIES

:

Psammophis indochinensis

Distribution

In Bali it is known that it is only located in the Borassus savanna near the coast at Cekik, and the coastal area of the monsoon forest north of Mount Merbuk, Buleleng. In other places it is known to be in various forests up to an altitude of 2000 m above sea level.

Geography

Continent : Asia

Country : Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam (Phan Rang), Jawa (Gresik, Jawa Timur), and Bali, India , may be Myanmar Utara

Habits and Lifestyle

Indo-chinese Sand Snake is active during the day and at dusk, mostly living above ground but also a very good climber, and at night it can be found lying in the bush

Lifestyle

Arboreal and terrestrial

Biome

Savanna and Moonson Forest

Climate Zone

Tropical

Diet and Nutrition

Its food is lizards, frogs, snakes and small rodents

Diet : Carnivora

Mating Habits

Is an oviparous species or reproduces by laying eggs.

Reproduction session : –

Incubation periods: –

Independent age : at birth

Baby name : –

Baby carrying : –

Population

Population status : Least Concern (LC)

NE

DD

LC

NT

VU

EN

CR

EW

EX

Population threats​

The central dry zone in Myanmar, where this species is most abundant, has been heavily converted to agricultural land, where this snake has not been recorded (G. Wogan pers. comm. August 2011). In Thailand it is known from agricultural land and is exploited for the domestic pet trade only in low numbers, and so is probably not threatened (T. Chan-ard pers. comm. August 2011). Suitable habitat in Lao PDR is very restricted, and conversion of grasslands to agricultural use may represent a threat in Cambodia.

Population number​

Listed an Least Concern on the basis that this snake is common in parts of its range and has been recorded from agricultural habitats, suggesting that the population is unlikely to be declining fast enough to warrant listing in a more threatened category. However suitable habitat in Myanmar, where this species is apparently most abundant, is under pressure from agricultural conversion, and while the population presently appears to be stable the population status of this snake in Myanmar should be monitored.

PHOTO GALLERY

Reference

  1. Stuart, B., Wogan, G., Chan-Ard, T., Thy, N. & Nguyen, T.Q. 2012. Psammophis indochinensisThe IUCN Red List of Threatened Species2012: e.T192077A2036871
  2. Somaweera, R. 2017. A Naturalist’s Guide To The Reptiles and Amphibians of Bali. John Beaufoy Publishing, Oxford, England.
  3. McKay, J.L. 2006. Reptil and Amphibi di Bali. Krieger Publishing Company, Florida, USA.