Colubridae · Philippine record
Calamaria bitorquesPETERS 1872
Venom: Genus-level classification: the taxonomic literature characterises Calamaria reed snakes as nonvenomous. This is not a species-specific venom assay.
Introduction, first paragraph
Venom effects and medical significance are different from toxicity rankings. Do not handle a snake on the basis of this summary.
Two to six dark crossbands occur just behind the head. The diagnosis also records contact between the mental scale and the front chin shields; comparison with C. gervaisii requires more than the band pattern. Its atlas account links 2 named island or island-group records to the source literature.
Literature updated 2026-10-07 · Editorial review pending
Explore the island records ↓Species portrait
Calamaria bitorques
Image to followThe illustrated collection
Adult · study plate
Calamaria bitorques
Image to followJuvenile · study plate
Calamaria bitorques
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
Two to six dark crossbands occur just behind the head. The diagnosis also records contact between the mental scale and the front chin shields; comparison with C. gervaisii requires more than the band pattern.
Literature documented · Diagnosis; Comment: similar species
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 Calamaria bitorques from these named Philippine areas: Luzon, Panay. 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.
Calamaria bitorques is retained in the atlas’s dated checklist under Colubridae. The authority is PETERS 1872. 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 (Luzon, Panay) Type locality: “Philippinen” (Peters says that the specimen was “baught”, without further details)
The atlas records Calamaria bitorques from these named Philippine areas: Luzon, Panay. 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
Synopsis of the Snakes of the Philippines: A Synthesis of Data from Biodiversity Repositories, Field Studies, and the Literature ↗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 ↗
Calamaria bitorques — The Reptile Database species account ↗
Living with wildlife
Non-venomous · Not applicable · non-venomous
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 (Luzon, Panay) Type locality: “Philippinen” (Peters says that the specimen was “baught”, without further details)
Names through time
Calamaria bitorques PETERS 1872: 585 Calamaria gervaisi BOETTGER 1898 (non DUMÉRIL & BIBRON) Calamaria bitorques — INGER & MARX 1965: 104 Calamaria bitorques — BAUER et al. 1995: 70 Calamaria bitorques — GAULKE & VOGEL 2005 Calamaria cf. bitorques — GAULKE 2011: 252 Calamaria bitorques — WALLACH et al. 2014: 135
Similar species: C. gervaisi.
Uetz, P.; Freed, P.; Aguilar, R.; Reyes, F.; Kudera, J.; Hošek, J. (eds.)
Leviton, A. E.; Siler, C. D.; Weinell, J. L.; Brown, R. M.
Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences 64(14): 399–568
Zhang, T.; Xu, Y.; Tan, N. V.; Poyarkov, N.; Peng, L.; Deng, J.; Wang, X.; Huang, S.
Biodiversity Data Journal 13: e165597
Introduction explicitly characterises Calamaria as nonvenomous. Used only for that genus-level classification, not to transfer measurements or ecology of C. andersoni to Philippine species.
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.