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| SCIENTIFIC
CLASSIFICATION |
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| COMMON
NAME: |
sea
snakes |
| KINGDOM: |
Animalia |
| PHYLUM: |
Chordata |
| CLASS: |
Reptilia |
| ORDER: |
Squamata |
| FAMILY: |
Hydrophiidae ("water lovers") |
| GENUS
SPECIES: |
Approximately 52 species |
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| DESCRIPTION: |
Sea snakes can be identified by their flattened
and oar-like tail. This adaptation allows sea snakes
to propel themselves through the water more effectively.
Other aquatic adaptations include salt glands and
nostrils located at the top of their snouts to breathe
more efficiently. |
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| SIZE: |
They vary in length, with the smallest adults being
50 cm (20 in.) long, to the largest, which may exceed
2 m (6.6 ft.). |
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| DIET: |
Sea snakes feed mainly on fishes and fish eggs. |
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| INCUBATION: |
Sea snakes can be oviparous (egg birth) or ovoviviparous
(egg live birth), depending on the species. In ovoviviparous
reproduction, the internally fertilized eggs of
the female are retained in her body. The embryos
soon shed their membrane and develop in the mother's
uterus. |
| CLUTCH
SIZE |
Sea
snakes usually have 3-4 young at a time. |
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| RANGE: |
Sea snakes are widely distributed throughout the
Indian and Pacific oceans, especially around Australia
and New Guinea. Two species, Laticauda colubrina
and Pelamis laturus, inhabit the coasts of
the Americas. |
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| HABITAT: |
Found in shallow or coastal water habitats. Some
species may venture on land, although most sea snakes
are helpless if washed ashore. |
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| POPULATION: |
GLOBAL |
No
data |
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| STATUS: |
IUCN |
One species, Crocker's sea snake, Laticauda crockeri,
is listed as vulnerable. |
| CITES |
Not
listed |
| USFWS |
Not
listed |
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|
| 1. |
Sea snakes are front-fanged and highly venomous. |
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| 2. |
A fold in the gums of a sea snake hides the fangs,
and the fangs quickly emerge when biting. Sea snake
fangs are fragile and may break off and remain in
the wounds of their victims. To counter the problem
of having weak fangs, sea snakes have potent venom
that can easily paralyze, kill, and begin the digestive
process of the fish they target. |
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Generally, sea snakes are not aggressive animals
- attacks on humans are extremely rare. Bites
occur chiefly to fishermen who try to remove sea
snakes from their nets. Also, sea snakes will
defend themselves if seized or harassed.
Sea
snakes are regarded as a delicacy in the Orient.
Sea snakes are attracted by light, which is often
the method used by humans to collect them.
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|
|
Bauchot,
Roland (ed.). Snakes a Natural History.
New York: Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., 1994.
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|
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Coborn, John. The Atlas of Snakes of the World.
New Jersey: T.F.H. Publications, inc. 1991. |
|
|
Cogger, H.G. and R. G. Zweifel. The Encyclopedia
of Reptiles and Amphibians, 2nd ed. San Diego.
Academic Press. 1998.
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| Ernst,
Carl H., and Zug, George R. Snakes in Question.
Washington: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1996. |
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| Halstead,
B. Dangerous Aquatic Animals of the World.
San Diego, Palace Press. 1992. |
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| Mattison,
Chris. Snakes of the World. New York: Facts
on File Publications, Inc., 1986. |
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| Mehrtens,
John M. Living Snakes of the World. New York.
Sterling Publishing Co., Inc. 1987. |
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| http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu |
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