Yellow-bellied sea snake (Pelamis platura)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Pelamis platura
- Common name
- Yellow-bellied sea snake
- Category
- Marine reptiles
- Family
- Elapidae
- Genus
- Pelamis
- Size
- 60–110 cm
- Depth
- 0–50 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- open-water
- Behaviours
- pelagic
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, Caribbean, Eastern Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea, Mediterranean
Description
Pelamis platura (or Hydrophis platurus) reaches 1.1 m. Pelagic sea snake (Elapidae) circumtropical in all tropical oceans (except Atlantic, blocked by cold barrier of South Africa) with compressed body with deep black top and vivid yellow bottom clearly separated, flattened yellow tail spotted with black. Lives from 0 to 50 m in pelagic open water, only fully oceanic snake, drifts on surface to hunt small fish attracted by its shadow. Powerful but non-aggressive venom. IUCN Least Concern. Pelagic dive photo subject, occasional offshore drift encounters.
Photo of Yellow-bellied sea snake
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Yellow-bellied sea snake?
- Yellow-bellied sea snake (Pelamis platura) reaches 60–110 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Yellow-bellied sea snake?
- Yellow-bellied sea snake is found between 0–50 m deep.
- Is the Yellow-bellied sea snake dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Yellow-bellied sea snake?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Yellow-bellied sea snake?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, Caribbean, Eastern Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea, Mediterranean.
Other species in the family Elapidae
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 220959)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 5222086)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia