Colubridae · Philippine record
Tropidonophis spilogaster(BOIE 1827)
Taylor’s 1922 account, reproduced by the database, describes frogs as the principal prey. The observation is historical and does not quantify present-day feeding across the archipelago. Its atlas account links 4 named island or island-group records to the source literature.
Literature updated 2026-10-07 · Editorial review pending
Explore the island records ↓Species portrait
Tropidonophis spilogaster
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Adult · study plate
Tropidonophis spilogaster
Image to followJuvenile · study plate
Tropidonophis spilogaster
Image to followLife stages will be labelled from the contributor’s information. Images alone do not establish identification or a locality record.
Media provenance
Contributor images are forthcoming. Photographs and illustrations will retain their individual credits, permissions and evidence notes.
A closer look
Taylor’s 1922 account, reproduced by the database, describes frogs as the principal prey. The observation is historical and does not quantify present-day feeding across the archipelago.
Literature documented · Comment: Diet; Taylor (1922)
Species-level database summary; literature review, not expert validation.
The cited account does not establish population-wide variation or the conditions at every Philippine locality.
The species account records egg-laying reproduction. A verified Philippine clutch-size range, incubation interval and breeding calendar are not established here.
Literature documented · Reproduction field
Reproductive mode reported for this named species.
Mode alone does not establish litter or clutch size, seasonal timing, or captive husbandry requirements.
The atlas records Tropidonophis spilogaster from these named Philippine areas: Luzon, Palawan, Polillo, Lubang. These are literature areas rather than a continuous range boundary.
Literature documented · Existing checklist occurrence statement and distribution review
The original evidence level is retained.
A country listing cannot establish an island or a precise locality.
Tropidonophis spilogaster is retained in the atlas’s dated checklist under Colubridae. The authority is (BOIE 1827). Earlier names and the original source notes are preserved below for comparison.
Literature documented · Checklist identity and nomenclatural trail
Checklist verified 2026-09-05; not a newly revised taxonomic backbone.
Historical names can cover different biological concepts; synonyms should not be used to transfer records automatically.
Across the archipelago
Documented islands: gold · island groups: dashed circles
Island-level records · not continuous habitat coverage. Dashed circles locate groups, not individual observations.
Philippine distribution
Select an island to read its distribution record and sources. Uncoloured islands are not evidence of absence.
Philippines (Bataan, Lubang, Luzon, Polillo, Palawan) Type locality: “Philippines” crebripunctatus: Type loc.: Manila, Philippines
The atlas records Tropidonophis spilogaster from these named Philippine areas: Luzon, Palawan, Polillo, Lubang. These are literature areas rather than a continuous range boundary.
The Reptile Database — species checklist, 17 June 2026 ↗Existing checklist occurrence statement and distribution review
References attached to this species account. Island-specific evidence is shown separately where available.
The Reptile Database — species checklist, 17 June 2026 ↗
Tropidonophis spilogaster — The Reptile Database species account ↗
Living with wildlife
Venom classification not yet added · Effects not yet summarised in this atlas
Observe from a distance. Do not handle, corner or capture a snake to identify it. An incomplete venom account is not evidence that a species is safe to handle.
After a suspected snakebite, keep the person still and arrange urgent medical care. Avoid tight tourniquets, cutting, suction and unproven remedies. Do not wait to identify the snake before seeking help.
WHO guidance on snakebite first aidSpecies record
Range noteCountry/island text is not a range polygon or locality record.
Philippines (Bataan, Lubang, Luzon, Polillo, Palawan) Type locality: “Philippines” crebripunctatus: Type loc.: Manila, Philippines
Names through time
Tropidonotus spilogaster BOIE 1827: 535 Tropidonotus crebripunctatus WIEGMANN 1834: 250 Coluber (Tropidonotus) spilogaster — EYDOUX & GERVAIS 1837: 4 Tropidonotus spilogaster — DUMÉRIL, BIBRON & DUMÉRIL 1854: 598 Tropidonotus spilogaster — BOULENGER 1893: 257 Tropidonotus spilogaster — BOULENGER 1894: 83 Natrix spilogaster — TAYLOR 1922: 86 Natrix crebripunctata — TAYLOR 1922: 91 Rhabdophis spilogaster — HARDING & WELCH 1980 Rhabdophis spilogaster — BROWN et al. 2000 Rhabdophis spilogaster — WALLACH et al. 2014: 636 Rhabdophis spilogaster — MENESES et al. 2022 Tropidonophis spilogaster — DEEPAK et al. 2021 Tropidonophis spilogaster — ROBERTS et al. 2024
Some species of this genus are venomous although we do not have information about this particular species. Synonymy: partly after Taylor 1922: 92, 291 BOIE 1826: 559 fide DUMÉRIL et al. 1854. Distribution: The species is common in Luzon. It has been reported from Negros and Palawan by Boulenger and from Mindanao by J. G. Fischer. Specimens in the collections examined are from Polillo, Luzon, and Camiguin (Babuyan Islands). (Taylor 1922) Diet: The species feeds almost wholly on frogs. It is frequently encountered in the city of Manila. (Taylor 1922)
Uetz, P.; Freed, P.; Aguilar, R.; Reyes, F.; Kudera, J.; Hošek, J. (eds.)
Uetz, P.; Hallermann, J. et al. (editors)
Public species fields consulted for bounded biological summaries. Primary sources quoted within the database were not independently examined unless explicitly stated. The catalogue name may differ from the current source title.