Xenopeltidae · Philippine record
Xenopeltis unicolorREINWARDT 1827
Xenopeltis unicolor is a Xenopeltidae snake included in the Philippine checklist. 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
Xenopeltis unicolor
Image to followThe illustrated collection
Adult · study plate
Xenopeltis unicolor
Image to followJuvenile · study plate
Xenopeltis unicolor
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
The database notes that DNA-barcode results suggest multiple lineages within the currently used species name. Such preliminary lineage evidence is not itself a formal species revision.
Literature documented · Comment: Laopichienpong et al. (2016)
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 Xenopeltis unicolor from these named Philippine areas: Palawan, Sulu. 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.
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.
Thailand (incl. Phuket), China (Guangdong, Yunnan), W Malaysia, Indonesia (Bangka, Belitung, Java, Kalimantan, Mentawai Archipelago, Nias, Riau Archipelago, Simeulue, Sulawesi, Sumatra, We, Borneo: Sarawak, Natuna islands) Cambodia; India (Andaman & Nicobar Islands [Tiwari, 1992]); Laos (Bolikhamxai, Champasak, Louangphrabang, Phôngsali, Vientiane, Vientiane Prefecture, Xaignabouli, Xékong and Xiangkhoang, Salavan); Malaysia (Malaya and East Malaysia); Myanmar (Burma); Philippines (including Palawan and Sulu Archipelago); Singapore; Vietnam (Hoa Binh). Type locality: Java
The atlas records Xenopeltis unicolor from these named Philippine areas: Palawan, Sulu. 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 ↗
Xenopeltis unicolor — 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.
Thailand (incl. Phuket), China (Guangdong, Yunnan), W Malaysia, Indonesia (Bangka, Belitung, Java, Kalimantan, Mentawai Archipelago, Nias, Riau Archipelago, Simeulue, Sulawesi, Sumatra, We, Borneo: Sarawak, Natuna islands) Cambodia; India (Andaman & Nicobar Islands [Tiwari, 1992]); Laos (Bolikhamxai, Champasak, Louangphrabang, Phôngsali, Vientiane, Vientiane Prefecture, Xaignabouli, Xékong and Xiangkhoang, Salavan); Malaysia (Malaya and East Malaysia); Myanmar (Burma); Philippines (including Palawan and Sulu Archipelago); Singapore; Vietnam (Hoa Binh). Type locality: Java
Names through time
Xenopeltis unicolor REINWARDT in BOIE 1827: 564 Xenopeltis concolor REINWARDT in BOIE 1827: 564 Xenopeltis leucocephala REINWARDT in BOIE 1827: 564 Tortrix xenopeltis SCHLEGEL 1837 Xenopeltis unicolor — BOULENGER 1893: 168 Xenopeltis unicolor — DE ROOIJ 1917: 39 Xenopeltis unicolor — SMITH 1943 Xenopeltis unicolor — HOGE 1964: 31 Cryptophidion annamense WALLACH & JONES 1992 (fide PAUWELS & MEIRTE 1996) Xenopeltis unicolor — ZHAO & ADLER 1993: 220 Xenopeltis unicolor — WALLS 1995 Xenopeltis unicolor — MANTHEY & GROSSMANN 1997: 436 Xenopeltis unicolor — COX et al. 1998: 16 Xenopeltis unicolor — MCDIARMID, CAMPBELL & TOURÉ 1999: 159 Xenopeltis concolor — GRISMER et al. 2008 Xenopeltis unicolor — NGUYEN et al. 2009 Xenopeltis unicolor — COX et al. 2012: 61 Xenopeltis unicolor — WALLACH et al. 2014: 802 Xenopeltis unicolour — GEISSLER et al. 2019 (in error)
Color image in Bulian (1999). PAUWELS et al. (2003) state that “REINWARDT most probably was the author of the specific nomen, but obviously did not write anything.” Therefore, in agreement with the ICZN, BOIE “must be regarded as the sole author of this taxon”. Type species: Xenopeltis unicolor is the type species of the genus Xenopeltis Reinwardt, 1827 and the type species of the the family Xenopeltidae. The family is characterized by a peculiar skull in which the bones are rigidly connected. DNA barcodes suggested multiple species within this species (Laopichienpong et al. 2016).
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
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.