Classification / Names Common names | Synonyms | CoL | ITIS | WoRMS

Not assigned | Squamata | Elapidae

Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range Ecology

Reef-associated; depth range 3 - 22 m (Ref. 78387). Tropical; 31°N - 58°S (Ref. 356)

Distribution Countries | FAO areas | Ecosystems | Occurrences | Introductions

Indo-West Pacific.

Length at first maturity / Size / Weight / Age

Maturity: L_m 74.5, range 47 - 101.5 cm Max length : 140 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 801); common length : 110 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 801)

Short description Morphology

Young has gray to black annuli, while juveniles has 45-55 transverse bars that may extend down the flanks with the lower body whitish and without pattern. Adults are uniform gray above, whitish below. Dark bars wider or as wide than paler interspaces.

Average length is 90 cm. The venom of this snake is said to be responsible for more serious and fatal bites than all other sea snakes combined and is considered to have the most toxic venom. Based on studies, the myotoxic phospholipase A from the venom causes myoglobinuria in mice (Ref. 88062). Usually occurs in clear shallow reef waters (Ref. 2357), and may travel about ten miles up tidal rivers (Ref. 88062). Also prefers estuarine conditions in Australia (Ref. 2357). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 801), with 4 to 9 young ones in a brood (Ref. 88062). Feeds on fish (Refs. 801, 88062).

Life cycle and mating behavior Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae

Ovoviviparous (Ref. 801). It bears 4 to 9 young ones in a brood (Ref. 88062).

Main reference References | Coordinator | Collaborators

Redfield, J.A., J.C. Holmes and R.D. Holmes. 1978. (Ref. 78387)

IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435)

Least Concern (LC) ; Date assessed: 15 February 2009

CITES status (Ref. 108899)

Not Evaluated

CMS (Ref. 116361)

Not Evaluated

Threat to humans

Venomous (Ref. 88062)

Human uses

Fisheries: of no interest
| FishSource |

Tools

E-book | Field guide

More information

Countries
FAO areas
Ecosystems
Occurrences
Introductions
Stocks
Ecology
Diet
Food items

Common names
Synonyms
Predators
Reproduction
Maturity
Spawning
Fecundity
Eggs
Egg development

Age/Size
Growth
Length-weight
Length-length
Morphology
Larvae
Abundance

References
Mass conversion

Collaborators
Pictures

Internet sources

Estimates based on models

Preferred temperature (Ref. 115969): 24.8 - 29.3, mean 28.5 (based on 3251 cells).

Resilience (Ref. 69278): High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (K=0.6-0.75).

Vulnerability (Ref. 71543): Moderate vulnerability (39 of 100).

Price category (Ref. 80766): Unknown.

Hydrophis schistosus Daudin, 1803