2590 



SCALED REPTILES 



the present and preceding subfamilies, these snakes never leave the water; and the 

 inferior surface of the body and tail is either covered with scales similar to those on 

 the upper parts, or, if shields are present, they are of small size. All are very poi- 

 sonous, and produce living young. Their headquarters are the coasts of the Indian 

 Ocean and the tropical districts of the Western Pacific, their range extending from 

 the Persian Gulf to New Guinea and Northern Australia. The parti-colored sea 

 snake has, however, a more extensive distribution, ranging from the \vestern coast 

 of Africa to the western shores of tropical America, and extending as far north as 

 Japan and Manchuria, and as far south as New Zealand. All of them have 



BANDED SEA SNAKE. 



(One-third natural size.) 



relatively-small heads, jaws, and fangs; and while in some cases the body is short 

 and thick, in others it is very thick only in the region of the tail, and elsewhere dis- 

 proportionately elongated and attenuated. Always varied, the coloration is often 

 brilliant and beautiful; and the oar-like form of the tail and hinder part of the body 

 is obviously an adaptation to an aquatic life. Living in the sea, or in tidal waters, 

 their movements in the clear blue water are agile and elegant; but when thrown 

 ashore, as frequently happens, the majority are helpless. Their food consists of 

 fish and such other creatures as they can capture in the sea. In parts of the Bay of 

 Bengal, sea snakes are sometimes seen congregating in large shoals. The group is 

 divided into nine genera, no less than six of which are represented in Indian waters. 



