Rough-Scaled Sea Snake

The rough-scaled sea snake, also called Stokes' sea snake, is a large, robust marine elapid found throughout tropical Indo-Pacific waters, including northern Australia and Southeast Asia. It is notable for its unusually thick body and rough, keeled scalation, which sets it apart from the generally smooth-scaled sea snakes.

This species is considered to have one of the largest venom yields and fang sizes among sea snakes, making it a species of particular interest in venom research, though bites to humans are rare given its offshore, deep-water habits.

• Exceptionally stout, thick body compared to most other sea snakes
• Strongly keeled, rough-textured body scales, giving rise to its common name
• Pale grey to yellowish coloration with darker grey-brown crossbands or diamond-shaped blotches
• Large, wide head
• Laterally compressed, paddle-shaped tail
• Adults typically reach 1.2-1.5 m and are notably heavy-bodied for their length

Found in tropical coastal and offshore waters across the Indo-Pacific, including northern Australia, Papua New Guinea, and parts of Southeast Asia. Often associated with turbid, soft-bottomed continental shelf waters, and can occur at greater depths than many other sea snake species.

Feeds on fish, including catfish and other benthic species, using its unusually large fangs and potent venom to subdue prey efficiently. Generally sluggish and slow-moving compared to more active sea snake species. Reproduction is ovoviviparous, with live young born at sea.