Fig 1
Fig 2
Fig 3
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Family : NATRICIDAE
Species : Psammodynastes pictus
Maximum Size : 55 cm
This small, slender snake,
measuring no more than 50 cm in length, is an elusive inhabitant of shallow
streams, especially in swamp forest habitats.
Species of the
Psammodynastes genus are called 'mock vipers' or 'false vipers' on
account of some superficial similarity with true vipers (family Viperidae),
such as the shape of the head. The Painted Mock Viper, however, is a largely
docile back-fanged Colubrid, and its venom is considered harmless to humans.
The head is elongate with
distinctive patterning, the snout is blunt, and the eyes large with a
vertical pupil. The dorsal colour is buff, brownish or reddish with a dark,
thick vertebral stripe and pairs of light spots either side of the vertebral
scale row. The flanks are lightly flecked, and the underside pale.
Though its habits are not
well documented it reportedly feeds on small fish, frogs, and
freshwater prawns (the specimen in these images appeared to be in a 'hunting
pose' next to a small stream). The species is also adept in climbing small
shrubs and bushes.
The Painted Mock Viper ranges from Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore and the
Riau Archipelago of Indonesia to Borneo and Sumatra.
Figs 1 to 3 : This 40 cm snake was found in a
stream gully in freshwater swamp forest habitat, Singapore.
References :
Manthey U., Grossmann W., 1997. Amphibien und Reptilien Sudostasiens. Natur
und Tier - Verlag.
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