Dusky sea snake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dusky sea snake |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Aipysurus
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| Species: |
fuscus
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| Synonyms | |
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Stephanohydra fusca Tschudi, 1837 |
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The Aipysurus fuscus, also known as the dusky sea snake or Timor Reef snake, is a type of sea snake. It belongs to the Elapidae family, which includes many venomous snakes. You can find this snake in the Timor Sea. This sea is located between Australia, Indonesia, and East Timor. Sadly, the dusky sea snake is currently an endangered animal. This means there are not many of them left in the wild.
What Does It Look Like?
The dusky sea snake usually has a dark color. It can be purplish brown, brown, or even blackish brown on its upper body. Sometimes, it has lighter bands on its sides. The name fuscus comes from a Latin word meaning "dusky" or "dark." This name perfectly describes the snake's color.
This snake usually grows to about 78 centimeters (around 30 inches) long. However, some have been found to be much bigger! They are thought to live for about ten years. They can start having babies when they are three or four years old.
How Does It Live?
The Aipysurus fuscus is a venomous snake. This means it produces a special liquid called venom. It uses this venom to catch its food.
Unlike many other snakes, the dusky sea snake is `viviparous`. This means it gives birth to live baby snakes. It does not lay eggs.
This snake likes to eat different things. It has been seen eating fish eggs and eels. It also enjoys eating wrasses and gobies, which are types of fish.
The dusky sea snake lives in shallow water. It usually stays close to the surface, down to about 12 meters (around 40 feet) deep.
Where Does It Live?
The Aipysurus fuscus mostly lives on reefs in shallow parts of the ocean. It has sometimes been seen a bit deeper, up to 30 meters (about 100 feet).
Scientists have only reliably found this snake in the Timor Sea. It lives on reefs like Ashmore, Cartier, and Hibernia. These are part of the Ashmore and Cartier Islands. It also lives on the reefs of Scott and Seringapatam.
Experts believe there are fewer than five groups of these snakes left. Their homes are also very spread out. This makes it hard for them to find each other.
Why Is It Endangered?
The number of dusky sea snakes has dropped a lot. Between 1998 and 2007, fewer and fewer were found. In 2007, no snakes were found at all! Scientists think that at least 70% of the population has disappeared.
We don't fully understand why these snakes are disappearing. But it's thought that problems like coral bleaching are hurting them. Coral bleaching happens when corals get stressed and lose their color. This can damage the whole reef ecosystem where the snakes live.
Because of these big drops in numbers, the Aipysurus fuscus is now listed as an endangered animal. This means it is at a very high risk of becoming extinct. Ashmore Reef, one of the places where these snakes live, has been a nature reserve since 1983. This helps protect the area.
