Aipysurus mosaicus facts for kids

Aipysurus mosaicus is a fascinating type of sea snake. It lives in the warm coastal waters around Australia and New Guinea. This snake is known for its unique patterns, which is why it's called "mosaic."

Discovering the Mosaic Sea Snake

Scientists officially named Aipysurus mosaicus in 2012. Before that, many people thought these snakes were just a group of another species, Aipysurus eydouxii. Those snakes are found near New Guinea and the Sunda shelf.

However, scientists like Kate Sanders and her team studied them very carefully. They looked at the snake's body parts, both inside and out. They also examined its DNA. Their research showed that the Aipysurus mosaicus was different enough to be its own species.

The first snake specimen used to describe this new species was found near Weipa. This area is in the Gulf of Carpentaria, which is part of Australia.

What Does the Mosaic Sea Snake Look Like?

The Aipysurus mosaicus is an oceanic snake. This means it lives in the ocean. It belongs to a family of snakes called elapids. Elapids are known for being venomous.

These snakes are predators, meaning they hunt other animals for food. They are often found in the sea, but some elapids can also live on land. The Aipysurus mosaicus is special because it mainly eats eggs.

Where Does the Mosaic Sea Snake Live?

You can find the Aipysurus mosaicus in the coastal waters of northern Australia. Its home also extends to the waters around New Guinea. These areas have warm, shallow seas that are perfect for this type of snake.