Hydrophis gracilis (Shaw, 1802)
Slender Sea Snake 小頭海蛇
(Highly venomous)
Hydrophis gracilis
Order
Suborder		 Squamata 有鱗目
Serpentes 蛇亞目
Family Elapidae 眼鏡蛇科
Genus Hydrophis 海蛇屬
Species Hydrophis gracilis
Other name -
Chinese name -
Total length Average 91 cm, may reach 150 cm.
Description Ground colour yellowish or whitish, with black or greyish bands partially joined together in a zig-zag pattern on dorsum.
Head black or dark grey, with lighter-coloured labials. Head very small and indistinct from the thin neck and forebody.
Two short rigid fangs in upper jaw. Body become thicker posteriorly, reaching a maximum girth at the middle of the body.
Tail laterally compressed and paddle-shaped.
Dorsal scales strongly tuberculate. Ventral scales much reduced in size.
Habitat

Is reported to be an open water, bottom-dwelling species.

Behaviour Its small head and neck are apparently useful in searching prey in hole and crevices.
One Australian specimen was observed with its head inside a small hole and the rest of the body raised vertically in the water.
Diet Is reported to feed on eels. May also eat fish eggs and small fishes.
Reproduction Viviparous, produces 2 youngs in average, but can be up to 6 youngs.
Distribution Known in Hong Kong from only one specimen taken in Deep Bay in the New Territories in 1963 at a depth of less than 15 m.
Ranges from the Persian Gulf, eastward along the coasts of Malay Peninsula and the South China Sea to Fujian.
Also through Indoaustralian Archipelago to Australia.
Conservation Status IUCN Redlist: NE (Not Evaluated)
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