A fully pelagic marine elapid found drifting in open ocean across most of the Indian and Pacific, the most widely distributed snake in the world.
Description
The yellow-bellied sea snake is a slim marine elapid under a metre long with a sharply two-toned body — black or dark brown above and bright yellow below, with a paddle-shaped tail patterned in yellow and black bars. The head is small, snakelike, and the nostrils sit on top of the snout.
Behavior
The species spends its entire life at sea, drifting in slicks of debris where small fish gather. It hangs head-down to ambush passing fish, striking sideways with quick precision. The neurotoxic venom is potent, but bites are extremely rare because the species is not aggressive and seldom encounters people.
Range
Distributed throughout the warm Indian and Pacific Oceans, from East Africa across Asia to the western coast of the Americas. Major currents occasionally carry strays far north or south of the usual tropical range.
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Yellow-bellied Sea Snake starts with Y and ends with E. Browse other snakes along the same letter.
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