Small-headed sea snake
Species of snake
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The small-headed sea snake (Hydrophis macdowelli), also known commonly as McDowell's sea snake, is a species of venomous snake in the subfamily Hydrophiinae of the family Elapidae. The species is native to waters off northern Australia.
| Small-headed sea snake | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Elapidae |
| Genus: | Hydrophis |
| Species: | H. macdowelli |
| Binomial name | |
| Hydrophis macdowelli (Kharin, 1983) | |
Etymology
The specific name, macdowelli, is in honor of American herpetologist Samuel Booker McDowell Jr.[2]: 173
Geographic distribution
Hydrophis macdowelli is found along the northern coast of Australia, the south central coast of Papua New Guinea, the Loyalty Islands, and New Caledonia.[1]
Habitat
Description
As one of its common names implies, Hydrophis macdowelli has a small head in relation to its body size. The species grows to a total length (tail included) of up to 1 metre (39 inches).[3]
Diet
Reproduction
Hydrophis macdowelli is ovoviviparous.[5] Litter size is 2–3 young.[4]
Venom
Hydrophis macdowelli possesses a powerful venom, and its bite is dangerous to humans.[4]
