Thai National Parks

Species of Thailand

Common mock viper

Psammodynastes pulverulentus

Heinrich Boie, 1827

In Thai: งูหมอก, ngu mok

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

Mock viper is a small snake (total length up to 65 cm, less in males), but it will form defensive coils and strike in viper-like fashion when threatened.

Distribution

The common mock viper is known from Bangladesh, Myanmar (Burma), Cambodia, China (Fujian, Yunnan, Guangxi, Guangdong, Hainan, Hong Kong), north-eastern India (Assam, Sikkim, Darjelling;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 (incl. Phuket), and Vietnam. It has been reported from Singapore.

Subspecies Psammodynastes pulverulentus papenfussi is endemic to Taiwan.

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Site notes

Among many of its mimicing abilities the most interesting one is that when threatened, Psammodynastes pulverulentus changes the shape of its pupils to look like a viper.

Scientific classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Reptilia
Order
Squamata
Suborder
Serpentes
Family
Psammodynastidae
Genus
Psammodynastes
Species
Psammodynastes pulverulentus

Common names

  • German:
    • Gewöhnliche Scheinviper
    • Gewöhnliche Falschviper
  • English: Common mock viper
  • Thai: งูหมอก, ngu mok

Subspecies

  • P. p. papenfussi, Ermi Zhao, 1995

    Range: Taiwan

  • P. p. pulverulentus, Friedrich Boie, 1827

    Range: Bangladesh, Burma, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, NE India, Bhutan, Indonesia, Laos, Nepal, Philippine Islands, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia.

Synonyms

  • Psammodynastes pulverulentus, Van Stanley Bartholomew Wallach et al. (2014)
  • Psamodynastes pulverulentus, Indraneil Das et al. (2009)
  • Psammodynastes pulverulentus papenfussi, Javier A. Rodriguez-Robles et al. (2003)
  • Psammodynastes pulverulentus, Thomas Ziegler (2002)
  • Psammodynastes pulverulentus, Merel J. Cox et al. (1998)
  • Psammodynastes pulverulentus, Ulrich Manthey & Wolfgang Grossmann (1997)
  • Psammodynastes pulverulentus papenfussi, Ermi Zhao (1995)
  • Psammodynastes pulverulentus, Malcolm Arthur Smith (1943)
  • Psammodynastes pulverulentus, Leonhard Hess Stejneger (1907)
  • Anisodon lilljeborgi, Rosen (1905)

Conservation status

Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)

Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)

Photos

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Psammodynastes pulverulentus
Psammodynastes pulverulentus
Psammodynastes pulverulentus
Psammodynastes pulverulentus
Common mock viper

Range Map

Distribution map of Common mock viper, Psammodynastes pulverulentus in Thailand
  • Ban Chang District, Rayong
  • Ban Khai District, Rayong
  • Ban Na San District, Surat Thani
  • Bang Lamung District, Chonburi
  • Bo Rai District, Trat
  • Chae Son National Park
  • Chiang Dao District, Chiang Mai
  • Chom Thong District, Chiang Mai
  • Dan Chang District, Suphan Buri
  • Doi Chong National Park
  • Doi Inthanon National Park
  • Doi Khun Tan National Park
  • Doi Phu Kha National Park
  • Doi Saket District, Chiang Mai
  • Doi Suthep - Pui National Park
  • Erawan District, Loei
  • Hua Hin District, Prachuap Khiri Khan
  • Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Huai Nam Dang National Park
  • Kaeng Hang Maeo District, Chanthaburi
  • Kaeng Krachan National Park
  • Kathu District, Phuket
  • Khao Khiao - Khao Chomphu Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Khao Khitchakut National Park
  • Khao Kho District, Phetchabun
  • Khao Luang National Park
  • Khao Phra Thaeo Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Khao Saming District, Trat
  • Khao Sok National Park
  • Khao Yai Da
  • Khao Yai National Park
  • Khiri Rat Nikhom District, Surat Thani
  • Khlong Saeng Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Khura Buri District, Phang Nga
  • Ko Chang National Park
  • Ko Samui District, Surat Thani
  • La-un District, Ranong
  • Lom Kao District, Phetchabun
  • Mae On District, Chiang Mai
  • Mae Sariang District, Mae Hong Son
  • Mae Wang National Park
  • Mae Wong National Park
  • Muak Lek District, Saraburi
  • Mueang Chonburi District, Chonburi
  • Mueang Krabi District, Krabi
  • Mueang Loei District, Loei
  • Mueang Nakhon Pathom District, Nakhon Pathom
  • Mueang Pan District, Lampang
  • Mueang Ranong District, Ranong
  • Mueang Trang District, Trang
  • Mueang Ubon Ratchathani District, Ubon Ratchathani
  • Na Di District, Prachinburi
  • Na Yai Am District, Chanthaburi
  • Nam Nao National Park
  • Namtok Phlio National Park
  • Nong Wua So District, Udon Thani
  • Omkoi District, Chiang Mai
  • Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima
  • Pak Phli District, Nakhon Nayok
  • Pang Sida National Park
  • Phanom District, Surat Thani
  • Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park
  • Phu Kradueng District, Loei
  • Phu Kradueng National Park
  • Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Phu Wua Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Phuket Province
  • Pran Buri District, Prachuap Khiri Khan
  • Ramkhamhaeng National Park
  • Sai Yok National Park
  • Sakaerat Environmental Research Station
  • Sangkhla Buri District, Kanchanaburi
  • Sattahip District, Chonburi
  • Si Racha District, Chonburi
  • Suan Phueng District, Ratchaburi
  • Tat Ton National Park
  • Tha Sae District, Chumphon
  • Tha Takiap District, Chachoengsao
  • Tha Uthen District, Nakhon Phanom
  • Tha Yang District, Phetchaburi
  • Tham Sakoen National Park
  • Thap Sakae District, Prachuap Khiri Khan
  • Thong Pha Phum District, Kanchanaburi
  • Thung Song District, Nakhon Si Thammarat
  • Thung Yai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Umphang District, Tak
  • Wang Nam Khiao District, Nakhon Ratchasima
  • Wang Nam Yen District, Sa Kaeo
  • Wang Saphung District, Loei
  • Wang Sombun District, Sa Kaeo
  • Yan Ta Khao District, Trang
  • Yong Waterfall National Park
Range map of Psammodynastes pulverulentus in Thailand