Thai National Parks

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.