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Elapidae

Western Turtle-headed Sea Snake

Venomous

Emydocephalus orarius

Western Turtle-headed Sea Snake
Emydocephalus orarius, (c) Grace Keast, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Western Turtle-headed Sea SnakeWestern Turtle-headed Sea Snake

3 photographs of the Western Turtle-headed Sea Snake. (c) Grace Keast, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

The Western Turtle-headed Sea Snake (Emydocephalus orarius) is a venomous snake in the Elapidae family, recorded in 1 country.

If you are bitten

This is a venomous snake. Treat any bite as a medical emergency: stay calm, keep the bitten limb still and roughly level with the heart, remove rings and tight clothing, and get to emergency care immediately. Do not apply a tourniquet, cut the wound, apply ice, or try to suck out venom. Call your local emergency number or poison center.

Family
Elapidae
Danger
high

About the Western Turtle-headed Sea Snake

Emydocephalus orarius, also known as the white-crowned or white-naped sea snake, is a species of sea snake endemic to Australian waters. The specific epithet orarius (“coastal”) refers to its known habitat.

Description

The species grows up to 116 cm in length.

Distribution and habitat

The species has been recorded from soft-bottomed waters off the Kimberley, Pilbara and Gascoyne coasts of Western Australia, including Barrow and Legendre Islands. The type locality is Shark Bay.

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Western Turtle-headed Sea Snake

Is the Western Turtle-headed Sea Snake venomous?
Yes. The Western Turtle-headed Sea Snake (Emydocephalus orarius) is venomous and belongs to the Elapidae family (cobra, mamba, coral or sea snake). Its bite is considered high risk to people. Treat any bite as a medical emergency.
Is the Western Turtle-headed Sea Snake poisonous?
Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Western Turtle-headed Sea Snake is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.
Is the Western Turtle-headed Sea Snake dangerous?
This is a venomous snake. Treat any bite as a medical emergency: stay calm, keep the bitten limb still and roughly level with the heart, remove rings and tight clothing, and get to emergency care immediately. Do not apply a tourniquet, cut the wound, apply ice, or try to suck out venom. Call your local emergency number or poison center.
Where does the Western Turtle-headed Sea Snake live?
The Western Turtle-headed Sea Snake has verified records in 1 country, including Australia. See the distribution section below for its full range.

If you are bitten by the Western Turtle-headed Sea Snake

A venomous snakebite is a medical emergency. Call your local emergency number immediately. In the US, dial 911 or Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.

Do

  • Get away from the snake and stay calm. Most bites worsen when people panic or try again to handle the snake.
  • Call 911 or Poison Control (1-800-222-1222) right away. Antivenom works best when given early.
  • Note the time of the bite and, from a safe distance, the snake's color and pattern, a phone photo is enough. Do not chase it.
  • Keep the bitten limb still and at roughly heart level. Sit or lie down and limit movement.
  • Remove rings, watches, and tight clothing near the bite before swelling starts.
  • Gently wash the bite with soap and water and cover it with a clean, dry dressing.

Do not

  • Do not cut the wound or try to suck out the venom.
  • Do not apply a tourniquet or ice.
  • Do not drink alcohol or caffeine.
  • Do not take aspirin or ibuprofen, they can worsen bleeding. Acetaminophen is safer for pain.
  • Do not try to catch or kill the snake. A dead snake can still bite by reflex.

First-aid guidance adapted from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC NIOSH), Venomous Snakes. Educational only; always follow the instructions of emergency responders.

Where it is found

Australia

More Elapidae snakes

Classification

How scientists group this snake, from the broadest category down to the exact species. Each step narrows to its closest relatives.

OrderThe broad group of scaled reptiles: all snakes and lizards
Squamata
FamilyA group of related snakes that share key traits
Elapidae
GenusA close-knit group of very similar species
Emydocephalus
SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
Emydocephalus orarius

Keep learning

Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.