Distributed range & status
These snakes are found in west, south, east & northwest coastal areas such as Ussangoda, Panama, Bundala, HAmbanthota, Kumana. They are also found in Persian Gulf (Oman, United Arab Emirates, & Iran) Indian Ocean (Pakistan, India) South China, North coast of Australia, Philippines, Pacific Ocean (Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia, China, Japan, & New Guinea).
Scales
rostral |
2 Tubercles are present in the mouth of scale |
frontal |
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supraoculars |
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parietals |
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prefrontals |
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nasals |
Undivided & Touches one another |
internasals |
absent |
loreals |
absent |
preoculars |
1 |
postoculars |
1-2 |
temporals |
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Supralabials |
7-8 ( 3 & 4 touches the eye) |
mental |
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infralabials |
After the 2nd a row of cuneate scales are found |
sublinguals |
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coastals |
|
ventrals |
151-219 very small |
anal |
Divided in to 4-6 parts |
subcaudals |
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Scales are squarish, or hexagonal, the lower most rows especially in males are short keeled giving it a thorn like appearance. Females have smooth scales. There are 25-39 mid body scale rows in males & 33-43 in females. Lateral scales are dividing in to 3-6 parts.
Characteristics
These snakes bear stout short bodies & relatively large heads. Head is broad & short. Neck is indistinct. They have a laterally flattened paddle like tail. The hemipenis closer to the free end is divided & bear spines.
Colour
Dorsal body is brownish grey to olive, with 35-55 lighter bands, which taper along the sides. Some times these bands are joined together. In juveniles these bands are found as rings. The head & tail are grey. The ventral body is unpatterned yellow or cream.
Venom
They are highly venomous snakes but a death has never been recorded from Sri Lanka. The bitten area gets a pain.
Dentition
Data not found.
Behavior
These snakes inhabit seas with muddy bottoms & found in a vast area of ecosystems. They are known from estuaries & also from corrals. They are mostly active in dusk. They are mostly caught in fish nets. They swim to the surface to breath. But this behavior is known less compared to other sea snakes.
Breeding
These snakes are ovoviviparous snakes. Breeding takes place in May & September & 1-6 offspring are produced at once.
Growth
Females are larger & heavier than males.
Food
Diet mainly comprises of eels, squids, marine invertebrates & fish (Clpeidae & Cynoglodssidae). They chase after prey to catch them.
Identification
These snakes have ventrals which are not divided. Ventrals are very small & unclear with other closer scales.
Myths & believes
These snakes are known to bite people when they try to release animals that are trapped in fish nets back to the sea. But none of the victims were recorded dead. So people in Potuwil believe that they are non venomous snakes.
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