Common name : Cochin banded sea snake, Gray’s sea snake
Scientific name : Hydrophis ornatus
Family : Elapidae
Native to : Widely distributed from the Arabian Gulf and eastwards till Australia
Interesting fact : The sea snake can remain under water for up to 2 hours.
Conservation status : Least Concern
Venomous ornate reef sea snakes have vertically flattened tails for swimming in the sea. Young snakes have typical white with dark crossbands which are lost in adults. Glands under their tongues expel excess body salt. Found in coral reefs, inshore waters and estuaries their favourite food is fish. They give birth to 2 to 5 young ones in a year.
