Emydocephalus

Emydocephalus

Emydocephalus is a genus of sea snakes called turtle-headed sea snakes. These snakes belong to the family Elapidae. They are special because they do not have venom. Most sea snakes have venom to help catch food, but these snakes are different.

These snakes also lack teeth on certain bones in their mouths. Instead of sharp teeth, they have small, soft bumps called papillae. Even without venom or many teeth, they still have small fangs and tiny teeth. This is because they mostly eat fish eggs, which are small and cannot move.

Because their food is small and easy to catch, these snakes hunt more often but eat less at each meal. This makes them act differently from most other snakes when looking for food. Their special way of eating and lack of venom make Emydocephalus very interesting to scientists who study sea life.

Etymology

The name Emydocephalus comes from two Greek words. "Emys" means "turtle" and "kephale" means "head". That is why these snakes are sometimes called turtle-headed sea snakes.

Geographic range

Species of the genus Emydocephalus live in East Asia, Southeast Asia, and Australasia.

Species

Emydocephalus has three recognized species. They are:

• Emydocephalus annulatus Krefft, 1869 - turtle-headed sea snake, egg-eating sea snake
• Emydocephalus ijimae Stejneger, 1898 - turtlehead sea snake
• Emydocephalus orarius Nankivell, Goiran, Hourston, Shine, Rasmussen, Thomson, & Sanders, 2020