Turtle-Headed Sea Snake

The Turtle-Headed Sea Snake is a fully marine species found on shallow coral reefs, where it specializes in feeding on fish eggs. Because its diet does not require subduing active prey, it has greatly reduced venom glands and small, blunt teeth.

It is one of the gentlest sea snakes and poses minimal risk to humans, often allowing close approach by divers and snorkelers.

• Small head with a blunt, turtle-like snout, giving the species its name
• Body pattern varies from plain grayish to banded with dark rings, sometimes with a bluish tint
• Paddle-shaped tail adapted for swimming
• Reduced fangs and venom glands compared to other sea snakes
• Distinguished from banded sea snakes by its shorter, blunter head and specialized diet

Restricted to shallow coral reef flats and lagoons throughout parts of the Indo-Pacific, including the Great Barrier Reef and New Caledonia, rarely straying into open or deep water.

Diurnal, spending most of its time slowly foraging over coral for fish eggs, which it locates using scent and touch rather than active pursuit. Fully aquatic, giving birth to live young at sea. Generally unafraid of divers due to minimal predation risk from humans.