Banded Sea Snake (highly venomous)

Description: A large snake, averaging 120-150 cm in total length, but grows to over 180 cm. Ground colour usually yellow or mustard yellow, sometimes tan or greyish; with numerous bluish-black rings that encircle the body. Scales strongly tuberculate. Head yellow, with a faint dark marking on the rear of it. Nostrils on top of snout. Two rigid fangs in upper jaw. Ventrals poorly developed and reduced in size, an adaptation to fully aquatic habits. Tail laterally compressed and paddle-shaped. Tail tip black.

Habits and habitat: Is Hong Kong¡¦s largest sea snake and inhabits the sea close to shore. Occasionally washed up and stranded on beaches. A dead specimen was found on a Peng Chau beach around 1985. The latest sighting was in May 1996 when a specimen was seen swimming in open waters between Peng Chau and Hei Ling Chau. Not aggressive if left alone and does not attack swimmers. However, careless handling may result in bites which are occasionally fatal as the venom is strongly neurotoxic. One fatality occurred in 1968 when a young girl was bitten on board a fishing boat at Tai Po. Is a local food delicacy. In Hong Kong sea snakes seem to be caught and offered for sale during the winter months. Also sold in dried form for food along with a few other species of sea snake.

Diet: Is reported to feed on eels and other fish.

Reproduction: Viviparous, producing 3-15 young.

Distribution: Rather rare at the present time. Was much more common some 50-60 years ago as it was reported frequently stranded at Repulse Bay on Hong Kong Island. Sea snakes, probably this species, have been occasionally reported by divers in Mirs Bay. Ranges from the Persian Gulf to Southeast Asia, along the entire China coast, to Korea and Japan and south to New Guinea.

Diagnostic features: Large head; body colour yellow, numerous bluish-black rings encircling the body; tuberculate scales; reduced ventrals; paddle-like tail.