500 
THE CORAL TRIANGLE: HEARST BIODIVERSITY EXPEDITION 
Most sea snakes are obligate aquatic animals that rarely, if ever come onto land except when 
swept ashore by wind and waves. However, at least three species, often referred to a distinct sub¬ 
family, the Laticaudinae, Laticauda colubrina, L. laticaiidata, and L. semifasciata, regularly come 
onto land to rest and lay eggs, but othei-wise they feed in water. Also, “three of the most ‘primitive’ 
true sea snakes (Subfamily Hydrophiinae) (Ephalophis greyi, Hydrelaps darwiniensis, and Parahy- 
drophis mertoniy (Rasmussen 1992:57), none of which occur in Philippine waters, have been 
observed emerging to forage on land for small burrowing gobies and then taking refiige in small 
burrows until the next tide allows them to return to the water (Rasmussen 1992:57 and for refer¬ 
ences). 
Description data accompanying each of the sea snake species have been culled largedly from 
details given in Smith (1926) and adjusted where necessary based on newer materials. 
Genus Aipysurus Lacepede, 1804 
Aipysurus y 2 iQQyQdiQ, 1804:197.— Smith, 1926:13. 
Diagnosis. — Maxillary bone extends forward beyond palatine, as long as or longer than 
ectoptergyoid; 5-11 maxillary teeth behind front fangs; nostrils superior, nasal scales in contact 
with one another; head scales variable, either whole or broken into smaller scales; body scales 
imbricate, in 17-15 rows around body; ventrals large, % XoVi width of body, scales usually with 
medial keel, best developed posteriorly. (Modified after Smith 1926:13.) 
Remarks. — See comments about Aipysurus in Rasmussen (2002:56). 
Aipysurus eydouxii (Gray, 1849) 
Spine-tailed or Marbled Sea Snake 
Tomogaster eydoiaii Gray, 1849:59. 
Aipysurus eydouxii. Smith, 1926:14. 
Description. — Body nearly of uniform diameter throughout, cylindrical; 10-11 maxillary 
teeth behind fangs; body scales, imbricate, smooth, in 17 rows on neck and body, 15 rows just 
before vent; dorsal scales on head large, regular, frontal longer than its distance from tip of snout; 
prefrontals usually two but occasionally divided by transverse groves to four; one pre- and two pos¬ 
toculars; six upper labials, fourth bordering orbit of eye; six lower labials; ventrals (6') 129-137, 
($) 135-146, each with a more or less developed median keel that in adult males ends in a strong 
spinous tubercle; subcaudals {S) 30-32, ($) 23-27; brownish or olive above with 44-55 yellow, 
black-edged scales forming crossbands, usually broken along mid-dorsal line. 
Size.— Total length usually to 550 mm (but Smith [1926:15] records one $ from Java at 910 
mm). 
Distribution. — Philippines (although reported for the Philippines, no verifiable records or 
voucher specunens [“I have seen no specimens. Both Boulenger {1896:304} and Wall {1910:189} 
give the Philippines as part of its range, and the species is included in the present work on their 
authority.” {Taylor, 1922a:227}]; Smith [1926:16] also questions the authenticity of Boulenger’s 
report.). Elsewhere: widely distributed in coastal waters off of Austi'alia (Queensland, Northern 
Territory, Western Australia), New Guinea, Indonesia, Gulf of Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, 
South China Sea. 
