Hydrophis belcheri
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| Faint-banded Seasnake | |
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| File:BelcherSeaSnake.jpg | |
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| Species: | H. belcheri
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| Binomial name | |
| Hydrophis belcheri (Gray, 1849)
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The Faint-banded Sea snake (Hydrophis belcheri, also known as the Belcher's ocean snake) is a species of elapid sea snake. It has a friendly temperament and would normally have to be subjected to severe mistreatment before biting. Usually those bitten are fishermen handling nets, although only a quarter of those bitten are envenomated since the snake rarely injects much of its venom. Because of this, and its docile nature, it is generally not regarded as very dangerous. The toxicity of this species' venom has many times been called into question, with some herpetologists and snake enthusiasts naming either the beaked sea snake (Enhydrina schistosa) or the Inland Taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus) as having the most toxic venom.[1][2]
Description
The faint-banded sea snake is of moderate size, ranging from 0.5 to 1 meter in adult length. Its thin body is usually chrome yellowish in colour and is surrounded by dark greenish bands. Head is short and has same colour as that of bands. Its mouth is very small but suitable for aquatic life. Its body when viewed outside water appears having fainted yellow colour. Its scales are different from other snakes and they overlap each other. Dorsal pattern does not extend on to venter; it has scales with a central tubercle. It is highly compressed at the rear end of the body and has a short head. Abdominal board is very narrow or non-existent.
Like other sea snakes, it has a paddle-like tail which makes it an expert swimmer; it rarely goes on land, and eats fish and shellfish. It breathes air, has valves over its nostrils that close underwater. It can hold its breath for as long as 7 to 8 hours while hunting and even sleeping but then has to come over water surface for a quick breath of air. It is generally docile and not aggressive at all. It may deliver a provoked bite only after repeated severe treatment. It usually bites fishermen handling nets but only 25% of those bitten are envenomed.
Distribution
Indian Ocean (Philippines: Visayan area, Panay; New Guinea), Gulf of Thailand, Australia Solomon Islands [McCoy 2000]. Especially around the Ashmore Reef in the Timor Sea off northwest Australia. Basically the southeast pacific ocean.
Taxonomic history
The scientific name commemorates the British explorer Sir Edward Belcher, and was named by John Edward Gray in 1849. It was independently discovered and named by Charles Darwin in 1851, though he retracted his claim upon being provided with a copy of Belcher's work.[citation needed]. 'Hydrophis' comes from Greek 'hydro' = water + 'ophis' = serpent, 'belcheri' comes from Latin here 'belonging to a man named Belcher'. It is also referred as Faint Banded Sea Snake and Belcher's Sea Snake.
The faint-banded sea snake has been mistakenly called the "hook-nosed sea snake" (which is actually Enhydrina schistosa) and in one instance was called the "blue-banded sea snake" (which is actually one name for Hydrophis cyanocinctus).
References
The scientific name commemorates the British explorer Sir Edward Belcher, and was named by John Edward Gray in 1849. It was independently discovered and named by Charles Darwin in 1851, though he retracted his claim upon being provided with a copy of Belcher's work.[citation needed] 'Hydrophis' comes from Greek 'hydro' = water + 'ophis' = serpent, 'belcheri' comes from Latin here 'belonging to a man named Belcher'. It is also referred as Faint Banded Sea Snake and Belcher's Sea Snake.
Bibliography
- McCarthy,C.J. & Warrel,D.A. 1991 A collection of sea snakes from Thailand with new records of Hydrophis belcheri (Gray). Bull. Br. Mus. nat. Hist. (Zool.) 57 (2): 161-166
- McCoy, M. 2000 Reptiles of the Solomon Islands. ZooGraphics, Kuranda (Australia), CD-ROM.
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