Pelamis

Pelamis is a genus of venomous sea snakes in the family Elapidae. It is monotypic, containing only Pelamis platurus, the yellow-bellied sea snake, a species adapted to life in warm coastal and open-ocean waters.

Physical appearance: adults typically range from 1 to 1.6 meters in length. The dorsum is olive to brown, with a bright yellow underside. The head is slightly darker, and the tail is paddle-like to aid swimming. The skin is smooth and the body is slender, optimized for an underwater lifestyle.

Distribution and habitat: Pelamis platurus occurs in tropical and subtropical Indo-Pacific waters, from the Indian Ocean to the western Pacific. It inhabits coastal seas, bays, estuaries, and open-ocean habitats, often near coral reefs, where it hunts small fish and eels. It is highly aquatic and dependent on warm seawater.

Behavior and reproduction: sea snakes are air-breathing reptiles that can remain submerged for extended periods. This species is generally shy and bites to humans are rare. It is viviparous, giving birth to live young in warm tropical waters; litter size varies.

Venom and conservation: the venom is potent and primarily neurotoxic, used to immobilize prey. While bites can be dangerous, envenomation of humans is uncommon and medical care should be sought immediately if it occurs; antivenom is available in some regions. The IUCN lists Pelamis platurus as Least Concern due to its wide distribution, though localized threats include bycatch and habitat degradation.