Mock Viper Snake|: Hong Kong Snakes

Filmed this Mock Viper Snake, Psammodynastes Pulverulentus, whilst Herping Hong Kong with Adam Francis, October 2022.

Wide range of coloration including tan body with grayish brown patterns and coloration, sometimes light tan in color but can also be red, bright orange, yellow or almost entirely black. Head usually displays a V pattern. Large eyes with roundish oblong pupils. Mock Vipers are largely terrestrial and have thin necks relative to their head, which is somewhat V shaped. Head can flatten slightly when defensive appearing similar to vipers. Faint white and tan spots on the body also can display orange speckles on upper third of the body on the lower sides, sometimes displaying lateral banding in light brown from mid to lower body extending to the tail. As a front fanged snake they are mildly venomous but there are no known cases of serious envenomation or reactions in humans. Also, they frequently referred to as ‘rear fanged’, a label that can be somewhat misleading as the fangs are located more towards the first third of the mouth.

The Mock Viper is a daytime active, largely terrestrial snake and as such can often be found in leaf litter, though they are known to also climb small bushes and vegetation especially over watered areas where they have been observed to eat small frogs. They also commonly display defensive behavior by positioning their front half into an 'S' position. They will strike mostly with false bites and occasionally real hits, but their diminutive size renders any genuine bite relatively harmless.

Due to their tendency to hide in leaf litter Mock Vipers are generally found in forested areas, often close to some water source. They have also been observed hanging from branches over water possibly hunting for fish or amphibians. The Common Mock Viper is found in a wide range of elevations, from forested lowlands to montane regions of up to 1600 metres. It ranges from the Indian Subcontinent, through Indochina and parts of Southern China, Hong Kong to Peninsular Malaysia, most of Indonesia and the Philippines. It has not been recorded in Singapore.

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Videography:
Christian Bassett
Editing:
Christian Bassett
Camera:
Sony 4K FDR-AX700 Camcorder