Enhydrina schistose
Scientific Name:-
Enhydrina schistoseCommon Name:-
Beaked / hook-nosed /common / Valakadiyan sea snake
Malayalam Name:-
Valakadiyan kadalpambu
Category:-
Sea snakes
Status:-
Common
Description:-
The rostral scale is longer than broad, and is in contact with four shields; frontal more long than broad, shorter than the parietals; nasals in contact with the two anterior labials; sometimes partially divided; one pre- and one or two postoculars; temporals l–3; seven or eight upper labials, fourth or third and fourth entering the eye, the last sometimes divided; anterior chin-shields rather indistinct, separated. Scales with a tubercle or keel, in 50–70 rows; ventrals 230–314, slightly enlarged. The snake is usually uniformly dark grey above; sides and lower parts whitish. Young specimens olive or grey with black transverse bands, broadest in the middle. Length of head and body 1110 mm; tail 190 mm
The name valakadiyan is from the Malayalam and Tamil word Vala kadiyan meaning net biter.
Threats:-
Trawling is the major threat in Kerala
Remark:-
The venom of this species is made up of highly potent neurotoxins and myotoxins. This widespread species is responsible for the vast majority of deaths from sea snake bites.
Habitat:-
These snakes are generally found in the coast and coastal islands of India. It is the common sea snake in Kerala coast. They are active both during the day and at night. They are able to dive up to 100 m and stay underwater for a maximum of five hours before resurfacing. Sea snakes are equipped with lands to eliminate excess salt. They are venomous and notably aggressive, with some herpetologists describing them as "cantankerous and savage" About 1.5 milligrams of its venom is estimated to be lethal. Their principal food is fish.
Synonyms:-
Disteira schistosa (Daudin, 1803); Hydrophis schistosus Daudin, 1803;
Hydrus valakadyn Boie, 1827
References:-
Biju Kumar, A., M. Susheel Kumar, G.R. Deepthi, & S. Mithun 2007. Sea snakes associated with trawl bycatch of Kerala coast, India. Cobra, 65 (1): 1-4.
Deepak Apte (2012). Field Guide to the Marine Life of India. Deepak Apte, Thane, Maharashtra, 502pp.
Smith, M. A. 1941. Fauna of British India. Reptilia and Batrachia.
Whitaker, R. & A. Captain. (2004). Snakes of India-The Field Guide. Draco Books, Chennai, India, 481pp.