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Typhlopidae · Philippine record

Luzon Worm Snake

Malayotyphlops luzonensis(TAYLOR 1919)

Length
Length not yet addedAtlas entry awaiting completion
Venom status
Venom classification not yet addedHuman effects: atlas summary awaiting completion
Known venom effects
Effects not yet summarised in this atlas

Malayotyphlops luzonensis is a Typhlopidae snake included in the Philippine checklist. Its atlas account links 4 named island or island-group records to the source literature.

OccurrenceConfirmed
Islands named4
Natural history3 sourced topics
References3

Literature updated 2026-10-07 · Editorial review pending

Explore the island records ↓

Species portrait

Malayotyphlops luzonensis

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The illustrated collection

Adult & juvenile

Adult · study plate

Malayotyphlops luzonensis

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Juvenile · study plate

Malayotyphlops luzonensis

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Life stages will be labelled from the contributor’s information. Images alone do not establish identification or a locality record.

Media provenance

Every image carries its source.

Contributor images are forthcoming. Photographs and illustrations will retain their individual credits, permissions and evidence notes.

A closer look

Natural history & identification

Taxonomic context

This is the type species of Malayotyphlops. Earlier authors included it within M. ruber, making the taxonomic usage of older records especially relevant.

Evidence & scope

Literature documented · Comment: type species and synonymy

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.

Reproduction

The species account records egg-laying reproduction. A verified Philippine clutch-size range, incubation interval and breeding calendar are not established here.

Evidence & scope

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.

Philippine distribution

The atlas records Malayotyphlops luzonensis from these named Philippine areas: Luzon, Negros, Cebu, Marinduque. These are literature areas rather than a continuous range boundary.

Evidence & scope

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.

Across the archipelago

Where this species is recorded

Philippines
Malayotyphlops luzonensis — all named islandsLuzonNegrosCebuMarinduque

Documented islands: gold · island groups: dashed circles

Island-level records · not continuous habitat coverage. Dashed circles locate groups, not individual observations.

Philippine distribution

Documented places

4 named islands / island groups

Select an island to read its distribution record and sources. Uncoloured islands are not evidence of absence.

Distribution record & sources

Philippines (Luzon, Negros, Marinduque, Cebu). Type locality: “low on side of Mount Maquiling, Luguna, Luzon, Philippines”

References attached to this species account. Island-specific evidence is shown separately where available.

The Reptile Database — species checklist, 17 June 2026 ↗

Synopsis of the Snakes of the Philippines: A Synthesis of Data from Biodiversity Repositories, Field Studies, and the Literature ↗

Malayotyphlops luzonensis — The Reptile Database species account ↗

Living with wildlife

Give this snake space.

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 aid

Species record

Taxonomy, occurrence & evidence.

Identity

Accepted name
Malayotyphlops luzonensis
Common names
Luzon Worm Snake
Authority
(TAYLOR 1919)
Year described
1919
Taxonomic status
Accepted species
Family
Typhlopidae
Subfamily
Asiatyphlopinae
Genus
Malayotyphlops
Species epithet
luzonensis
Persistent ID
PH-SERP-559424E864
Checklist checked
2026-09-05

Philippine occurrence

Status
Present
Confidence
Confirmed
Basis
2018 Philippine synopsis treatment plus current RDB listing
Islands named
Luzon, Negros, Cebu, Marinduque

Range noteCountry/island text is not a range polygon or locality record.

Source distribution statement

Philippines (Luzon, Negros, Marinduque, Cebu). Type locality: “low on side of Mount Maquiling, Luguna, Luzon, Philippines”

Knowledge coverage

EndemismResearch pending
EcologyResearch pending
VenomVenom classification not yet added
Effects not yet summarised in this atlas
Detailed research: Research pending
ConservationResearch pending

Names through time

Nomenclatural trail

Typhlops luzonensis TAYLOR 1919: 105 Typhlops luzonensis — MCDIARMID, CAMPBELL & TOURÉ 1999: 109 Typhlops lozonensis [sic] — BROWN et al. 2000: 190 Typhlops luzonensis — WALLACH et al. 2014: 766 Malayotyphlops luzonensis — HEDGES et al. 2014 Malayotyphlops luzonensis — WYNN et al. 2016

Taxonomic and source notes

Has been synonymized with T. ruber by MCDOWELL (1974) Type species: Typhlops luzonensis TAYLOR 1919: 105 is the type species of the genus Malayotyphlops HEDGES et al. 2014. Morphology: for morphological data across the species in this genus see Pyron & Wallach 2014: Table 2.

References attached to this record

2026

The Reptile Database — species checklist, 17 June 2026

Uetz, P.; Freed, P.; Aguilar, R.; Reyes, F.; Kudera, J.; Hošek, J. (eds.)

Open source ↗
2018

Synopsis of the Snakes of the Philippines: A Synthesis of Data from Biodiversity Repositories, Field Studies, and the Literature

Leviton, A. E.; Siler, C. D.; Weinell, J. L.; Brown, R. M.

Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences 64(14): 399–568

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.11512589

Open source ↗
n.d.

Malayotyphlops luzonensis — The Reptile Database species account

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.

Open source ↗