Wildlifeof China
Ijima's Sea Snake
Cobras, Kraits & Sea SnakesEmydocephalus ijimae
Basic stats
Diet
Eggs of coral reef fishes
Habitat
Shallow coastal waters
Range
North-western Pacific: China, Taiwan, Japan and the Ryukyu Islands
Size
Males typically under 75 cm SVL; females sometimes over 80 cm; newborns 26.6–34.2 cm
Ijima's sea snake or turtlehead sea snake (Emydocephalus ijimae) lives in shallow coastal waters of the north-western Pacific, recorded off China, Taiwan, Japan and the Ryukyu Islands. It feeds exclusively on the eggs of coral reef fishes. (The Reptile Database; Wikipedia, general species account)
Females are larger than males: males are typically under 75 cm snout-vent length and weigh 70–350 g, while females sometimes exceed 80 cm and weigh 170–600 g. Newborns measure 26.6–34.2 cm. Studies suggest it is an income breeder, relying on food eaten at the time to produce offspring. (Wikipedia, general species account)
Quick answers
- What does the Ijima's Sea Snake eat?
- Eggs of coral reef fishes
- What habitat does the Ijima's Sea Snake live in?
- Shallow coastal waters
- Where is the Ijima's Sea Snake found?
- North-western Pacific: China, Taiwan, Japan and the Ryukyu Islands
- How big is the Ijima's Sea Snake?
- Males typically under 75 cm SVL; females sometimes over 80 cm; newborns 26.6–34.2 cm