The dangerously venomous Microcephalophis gracilis (formerly known as Hydrophis gracilis) is found in coastal waters of Myanmar and from the Persian Gulf east to India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, China, Taiwan, Indonesia (Sumatra and Java), Australia, and Melanesia. These snakes are reported to inhabit deep turbid offshore waters. Leviton et al. (2003) provide a technical description of this species: Head small, body long and slender anteriorly; scales on thickest part of body juxtaposed; 5-6 maxillary teeth behind fangs; 17-21 scale rows around neck, 30-36 around thickest part of body (increase from neck to midbody 18-24); ventrals divided by a longitudinal fissure; prefrontal in contact with third upper labial; ventrals 220-287. Total length: males 950 mm, females 1025 mm; tail length: males 80 mm, females 95 mm. There is geographic variation in scale counts for this species—counts above are for M. gracilis inhabiting coastal waters of Myanmar and along the east coast of India,.
(Leviton et al. 2003 and references therein)
de Silva et al. (2011) reported preliminary observations on the sex, reproductive status and reproduction of six species of hydrophiine sea snakes (including M. gracilis) collected as fishing bycatches in different coastal regions of Sri Lanka
Microcephalophis gracilis, also known as the graceful small-headed seasnake, slender sea snake, narrow-headed sea snake, common small-headed sea snake, is a species of sea snake found in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.[1][2][3] It is venomous.[2][3]
Head small, body long and slender anteriorly; scales on thickest part of body juxtaposed; 5–6 maxillary teeth behind fangs; 17–21 scale rows around neck, 30–36 around thickest part of body (increase from neck to midbody 18–24); ventrals divided by a longitudinal fissure; prefrontal in contact with third upper labial; ventrals 220–287.[2][4]
Total length males 950 mm, females 1025 mm; tail length males 80 mm, females 95 mm.[2][4]
Microcephalophis gracilis is found on the coasts of the Indian Ocean and West Pacific, from around the Persian Gulf (Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Iran, Iraq and Kuwait) to Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, and Indonesia, and into the Malay Archipelago/West Pacific in Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia, Vietnam, the Philippines, southern China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, as well as in Australia (Queensland) and Papua New Guinea.[1][4]
The venom of this species is dangerous and can be fatal. The symptoms generally began to appear within 30 minutes after being bitten. The bite typically does not cause any pain. Muscles get affected once the venom starts to act causing paralysis which is one of the major characteristics of its bite. Victim may also experience headache, thirst and sweating after the bite.
Microcephalophis gracilis, also known as the graceful small-headed seasnake, slender sea snake, narrow-headed sea snake, common small-headed sea snake, is a species of sea snake found in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is venomous.
