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)
Indo-West Pacific.
Length at first maturity / Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm 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)
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).
Redfield, J.A., J.C. Holmes and R.D. Holmes. 1978. (Ref. 78387)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435)
CITES status (Ref. 108899)
Not Evaluated
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Human uses
Fisheries: of no interest
| FishSource |
Tools
Internet sources
Estimates based on models
Preferred temperature
(Ref.
115969): 24.8 - 29.3, mean 28.5 (based on 3251 cells).
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (K=0.6-0.75).
Vulnerability
Moderate vulnerability (39 of 100).
Price category
Unknown.