Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India

Some observations on the beaked sea snake Enhydrina schistosa (Daudin, 1803) in the mudbank area, off Alapuzha, Kerala, southwest coast of India

Volume 57 Issue 2

R. Jeyabaskaran, K. S. Abhilash, M. Gishnu, P. G. Vishnu, Abbas Mohamed, K. S. Aswathy, L. R. Khambedkar, D. Prema and V. Kripa

10.6024/jmbai.2015.57.2.1860-16

Abstract

Hook-nosed sea snake or beaked snake, Enhydrina schistosa were caught during experimental fishing operations in the mudbank region along central Kerala Coast at depths ranging from 6 to 12 m. The sea snakes were found to form aggregations of 5 to 6 numbers and were able to tolerate highly turbid waters. The catfish Arius jella and the puffer fish Lagocephalus inermis were the dominant prey items. mudbanks are unusually calm areas which form along the Kerala coast during the monsoon. The inshore waters including the mudbanks are intense fishing areas of non mechanized crafts during the monsoon. The presence of venomous sea snakes is precarious and there is a need to give awareness programme for the fishers about this danger.

Keywords

sea snake, Enhydrina schistosa, behaviour, mudbank, aggregation, food items

Date : 30-12-2015