Hydrophiidae

views updated May 17 2018

Hydrophiidae (sea snakes; order Squamata, suborder Serpentes) A family of marine descendants of the Elapidae, comprising venomous, front-fanged snakes that have valvular nostrils and salt-secreting glands in the head, long bodies (generally with small ventral scales), and laterally compressed tails. Most are ovoviviparous. They prey mainly on small fish. There are about 50 species, occurring in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

A Dictionary of Zoology MICHAEL ALLABY

sea snakes

views updated May 21 2018

sea snakes See HYDROPHIIDAE.

A Dictionary of Zoology MICHAEL ALLABY

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Sea snakes

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