Ijima's Turtle-Headed Sea Snake
Emydocephalus ijimae
An egg-eating sea snake from the Ryukyu Islands with a blunt, turtle-like head.
- Adult length
- 0.5-0.8 m (1.6-2.6 ft)
- Range
- Coral reefs of the Ryukyu Islands, Japan, and Taiwan
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Overview
Ijima's turtle-headed sea snake is a specialized reef-dwelling species closely related to the better-known turtle-headed sea snake of Australia. It feeds almost exclusively on fish eggs, an unusual dietary specialization among snakes.
How to identify it
- Blunt, rounded snout giving a turtle-like head profile
- Males often darker or more strongly banded than paler females
- Smooth, small scales adapted for close reef contact
- Compressed paddle tail typical of sea snakes
- Distinguished from other Hydrophis-type sea snakes by blunt head shape
Habitat & range
Restricted to coral reef habitats around the Ryukyu Islands of Japan and nearby Taiwanese waters. Found in shallow reef flats and lagoons where its egg-laying fish prey are abundant.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Feeds specifically on the eggs of damselfish and similar reef fish, foraging by nosing into coral crevices. Live-bearing, with reproduction tied to reef fish spawning cycles.
Frequently asked questions
What does it eat?
It feeds almost exclusively on fish eggs found on coral reefs, an unusual diet for a snake.
Where is it found?
On coral reefs around the Ryukyu Islands of Japan and nearby Taiwan.
Why does it have a turtle-like head?
Its blunt snout is an adaptation for probing coral crevices in search of fish eggs.
Ijima's Turtle-Headed Sea Snake guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Ijima's Turtle-Headed Sea Snake.
