The Yellow-Bellied Sea Snake is one of the most widespread and venomous sea snakes in the world. Unlike other sea snakes, this species is completely pelagic, meaning it spends its entire life in the open ocean. Found in coastal waters, estuaries, and mangroves, including parts of the Sundarbans, it is an important predator in marine ecosystems.
🏷 Taxonomy
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Elapidae
Genus:Hydrophis
Species:Hydrophis platurus
☠️ One of the Most Venomous Sea Snakes– Its neurotoxic venom can cause paralysis and death, although bites on humans are rare.
🔬 Morphology & Physical Characteristics
Size: Typically 50 to 90 cm, but can grow up to 1.2 meters.
Weight: Lightweight, usually under 1 kg.
Coloration:
Striking yellow belly and dark brown to black upper body.
Bright contrast helps camouflage in open waters.
Distinct Features:
Laterally compressed body & paddle-shaped tail, perfect for swimming.
Flat, elongated head with small, fixed fangs for venom injection.
Cannot survive on land – Must stay in water at all times.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
The Yellow-Bellied Sea Snake is found in tropical and subtropical waters worldwide, including:
🌎 Key Habitats: ✅ Sundarbans (India & Bangladesh) 🌿 – Coastal waters and river estuaries. ✅ Indian Ocean & Bay of Bengal 🌊 – Frequently sighted near islands and coastal regions. ✅ Pacific & Atlantic Oceans – Found floating in oceanic drift lines. ✅ Coastal regions of Southeast Asia, Australia, and the Americas.
📌 Preferred Habitat:
Deep open waters (Pelagic zone) – One of the few snakes that lives far from shore.
Coastal shallows & estuaries – Occasionally found near mangroves and river mouths.
Floating debris zones & ocean currents – Uses drift lines for hunting small fish.
✨ Special Features & Adaptations
1️⃣ Fully Aquatic Lifestyle – Unlike other sea snakes, it cannot survive on land. 🌊 2️⃣ Highly Venomous – Contains potent neurotoxic venom that paralyzes prey. ☠️ 3️⃣ Unique Floating Behavior – Often floats upside down near the surface to ambush fish. 🎣 4️⃣ Can Absorb Oxygen Through Skin – Allows long dives without surfacing. 🌬 5️⃣ Drinks Freshwater from Rain – Uses pockets of rainwater on the ocean’s surface to survive. 🌧
🌿 Presence in the Sundarbans
Although the Yellow-Bellied Sea Snake prefers open ocean waters, it is sometimes found in the coastal regions and estuaries of the Sundarbans, especially:
📌 Key Areas in the Sundarbans: ✔ Coastal waters near mangrove islands – Occasionally seen near shorelines. ✔ Estuarine zones of Hooghly & Raimangal Rivers – Moves inland during storms or high tides. ✔ Open Bay of Bengal waters – Primary habitat, drifting with ocean currents.
⚠️ Threats & Human Encounters
🚨 Bycatch in Fishing Nets – Often accidentally caught in commercial fishing gear. 🚨 Climate Change & Ocean Pollution – Floating plastic waste affects their habitat. 🚨 Oil Spills & Industrial Waste – Contaminates food sources and disrupts movement. 🚨 Rare but Dangerous Bites – While not aggressive, handling them can result in severe envenomation.
📌 IUCN Red List:Least Concern (Stable Population). 📌 CITES: Not Listed. 📌 Indian Wildlife Protection Act: Schedule IV (Moderate Protection).
Despite being widespread, pollution and habitat degradation pose long-term threats to their survival.
The Yellow-Bellied Sea Snake is an extraordinary marine reptile, perfectly adapted to a life at sea. It plays a crucial role in the Sundarbans’ coastal ecosystems by controlling small fish populations. However, human activities such as bycatch, pollution, and climate change pose risks to this species. With proper conservation efforts, we can ensure the survival of this unique venomous predator in the Sundarbans and beyond. 🌊🐍
