Small-Headed Sea Snake
Hydrophis gracilis
A slender sea snake with a strikingly tiny head and narrow forebody widening toward the rear, found in shallow coastal waters across the Indo-Pacific.
- Venomous?
- Venomous
- Adult length
- 0.9-1.2 m (3-4 ft)
- Range
- Indo-Pacific coastal waters, from the Persian Gulf to Southeast Asia and northern Australia
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Overview
The small-headed sea snake is a marine elapid distinguished by its extremely small head and slender, cord-like neck, which contrast with a noticeably thicker hind body. It is widely distributed in shallow coastal waters across the Indo-Pacific.
As with other members of this diverse marine elapid group, it is fully adapted to aquatic life, with a flattened paddle-like tail and venom used primarily to subdue small prey. Its distinctive body proportions make it one of the more recognizable of the true sea snakes.
How to identify it
- Very small, narrow head on a thread-like, slender neck and forebody
- Body thickens noticeably toward the rear, giving an uneven profile
- Pale grey or olive coloration with darker crossbands or blotches along the body
- Smooth body scales in regular rows
- Laterally compressed tail adapted for swimming
- Adults generally reach 0.9-1.2 m in length
Habitat & range
Found in shallow coastal and estuarine waters over soft sediment across the Indo-Pacific, from the Persian Gulf and coastal India through Southeast Asia to northern Australia. Prefers turbid, soft-bottomed areas near river mouths where slender, burrow-dwelling prey is abundant.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Uses its small head and slender neck to probe burrows and crevices in the seabed for eel-like fish and other elongated prey. Active both day and night depending on local conditions. Reproduction is ovoviviparous, with live young born at sea.
Frequently asked questions
Is the small-headed sea snake venomous?
Yes, it possesses venom used to subdue small fish prey.
Where does the small-headed sea snake live?
It occurs in shallow coastal waters across the Indo-Pacific, from the Persian Gulf to Southeast Asia and northern Australia.
How big does the small-headed sea snake get?
Adults typically reach 0.9-1.2 m (3-4 ft) in length.
What is distinctive about its appearance?
It has an unusually tiny head and slender forebody that widens toward a thicker rear body.
Small-Headed Sea Snake guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Small-Headed Sea Snake.
