The small-headed sea snake (Hydrophis macdowelli), also known commonly as McDowell's sea snake, is a species of venomous snake in the subfamily Hydrophiinae of the family Elapidae. The species is native to waters off northern Australia.
Etymology The specific name, macdowelli, is in honor of American herpetologist Samuel Booker McDowell Jr.
Geographic distribution Hydrophis macdowelli is found along the northern coast of Australia, the south central coast of Papua New Guinea, the Loyalty Islands, and New Caledonia.
Habitat The preferred natural habitat of Hydrophis macdowelli is shallow ocean waters with sandy bottoms, at depths of not more than .
Description As one of its common names implies, Hydrophis macdowelli has a small head in relation to its body size. The species grows to a total length (tail included) of up to 1 metre (39 inches).
Diet Hydrophis macdowelli preys upon eels and other elongate fishes. 688 pp. (Hydrophis macdowelli, pp. 656–657).
Reproduction Hydrophis macdowelli is ovoviviparous. www.reptile-database.org. Litter size is 2–3 young.
Venom Hydrophis macdowelli possesses a powerful venom, and its bite is dangerous to humans.
References
Further reading xxx + 1,033 pp.
(Hydrophis macdowelli, new species). (in Russian).