Venom effects and medical significance are different from toxicity rankings. Do not handle a snake on the basis of this summary.
The account records a marine habitat. Island names on the map identify reported coastal areas; they are not land occupancy or a boundary of the species’ marine range. Its atlas account links 1 named island or island-group record to the source literature.
OccurrenceSupported
Islands named1
Natural history4 sourced topics
References3
Literature updated 2026-10-07 · Editorial review pending
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 live-bearing reproduction, using the term ovoviviparous. A verified Philippine litter-size range and reproductive calendar are not established here.
Reproductive mode reported for this named species.
Mode alone does not establish litter or clutch size, seasonal timing, or captive husbandry requirements.
Ecology & habitat
The account records a marine habitat. Island names on the map identify reported coastal areas; they are not land occupancy or a boundary of the species’ marine range.
Venomous · 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.
Distribution reviewed against cited source (p. 464). Manila Bay and Gigantes Islands.
Islands named
Luzon
Range noteCountry/island text is not a range polygon or locality record.
Source distribution statement
Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand
Type locality: mouth of the Mekong River.
Knowledge coverage
EndemismResearch pending
EcologyLiterature documented
VenomVenomous Effects not yet summarised in this atlasDetailed research: Research pending
ConservationResearch pending
Names through time
Nomenclatural trail
Hydrophis lamberti SMITH 1917: 340
Hydrophis lamberti — SMITH 1920
Hydrophis ornatus SMITH 1926 (part.)
Hydrophis lapemoides — TAMIYA et al. 1983
Hydrophis lamberti — MURPHY, COX & VORIS 1999
Chitulia lamberti — KHARIN 2005
Hydrophis lamberti — NGUYEN et al. 2009
Hydrophis lamberti — RASMUSSEN et al. 2011
Chitulia lamberti — KHARIN & DOTSENKO 2012
Hydrophis lamberti — SANDERS et al. 2012
Chitulia (Chitulia) lamberti — KHARIN 2012
Chitulia lamberti — WALLACH et al. 2014: 165
Chitulia lamberti — CHAN-ARD et al. 2015: 279
Taxonomic and source notes
Venomous!
Habitat: marine.
Synonymy: Has been included in H. ornatus by some authors (e. g. Smith, 1926), but is very distinct in its colour pattern.
Distribution: not in Singapore or not established there (Figueroa et al. 2023).
References attached to this record
2026
The Reptile Database — species checklist, 17 June 2026
Hydrophis lamberti — 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.