Elapidae · Philippine record
Hydrophis elegans(GRAY 1842)
Venom: Basic classification explicitly recorded in the species account. Detailed effects and medical significance have not yet been summarised here.
Species account, Comments
Venom effects and medical significance are different from toxicity rankings. Do not handle a snake on the basis of this summary.
The cited diagnosis emphasises numerous ventral scales (354–401) and dark bands that can break into dorsal and ventral bars on the thicker body region. Its atlas account links 1 named island or island-group record to the source literature.
Literature updated 2026-10-07 · Editorial review pending
Explore the island records ↓Species portrait
Hydrophis elegans
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Adult · study plate
Hydrophis elegans
Image to followJuvenile · study plate
Hydrophis elegans
Image to followLife stages will be labelled from the contributor’s information. Images alone do not establish identification or a locality record.
Media provenance
Contributor images are forthcoming. Photographs and illustrations will retain their individual credits, permissions and evidence notes.
A closer look
The cited diagnosis emphasises numerous ventral scales (354–401) and dark bands that can break into dorsal and ventral bars on the thicker body region.
Literature documented · Diagnosis; Smith (1974)
Species-level database summary; literature review, not expert validation.
The cited account does not establish population-wide variation or the conditions at every Philippine locality.
The species account records live-bearing reproduction, using the term ovoviviparous. A verified Philippine litter-size range and reproductive calendar are not established here.
Literature documented · Reproduction field
Reproductive mode reported for this named species.
Mode alone does not establish litter or clutch size, seasonal timing, or captive husbandry requirements.
The account records a marine habitat. Island names on the map identify reported coastal areas; they are not land occupancy or a boundary of the species’ marine range.
Literature documented · Comment: Habitat
Species-level database summary; literature review, not expert validation.
The cited account does not establish population-wide variation or the conditions at every Philippine locality.
The atlas records Hydrophis elegans from these named Philippine areas: Panay. These are literature areas rather than a continuous range boundary.
Literature documented · Existing checklist occurrence statement and distribution review
The original evidence level is retained.
A country listing cannot establish an island or a precise locality.
Hydrophis elegans is retained in the atlas’s dated checklist under Elapidae. The authority is (GRAY 1842). Earlier names and the original source notes are preserved below for comparison.
Literature documented · Checklist identity and nomenclatural trail
Checklist verified 2026-09-05; not a newly revised taxonomic backbone.
Historical names can cover different biological concepts; synonyms should not be used to transfer records automatically.
Across the archipelago
Coastal records: blue outlines
Blue outlines locate coastal records, not land occupancy or marine range boundaries.
Philippine distribution
Select an island to read its distribution record and sources. Uncoloured islands are not evidence of absence.
Australia (New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia), Papua New Guinea, Philippines (Panay etc.) Type locality: Port Essington, N. T.
The atlas records Hydrophis elegans from these named Philippine areas: Panay. These are literature areas rather than a continuous range boundary.
The Reptile Database — species checklist, 17 June 2026 ↗Existing checklist occurrence statement and distribution review
References attached to this species account. Island-specific evidence is shown separately where available.
Living with wildlife
Venomous · Effects not yet summarised in this atlas
Observe from a distance. Do not handle, corner or capture a snake to identify it. An incomplete venom account is not evidence that a species is safe to handle.
After a suspected snakebite, keep the person still and arrange urgent medical care. Avoid tight tourniquets, cutting, suction and unproven remedies. Do not wait to identify the snake before seeking help.
WHO guidance on snakebite first aidSpecies record
Range noteCountry/island text is not a range polygon or locality record.
Australia (New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia), Papua New Guinea, Philippines (Panay etc.) Type locality: Port Essington, N. T.
Names through time
Aturia elegans GRAY 1842: 61 Distira grandis BOULENGER 1896: 293 Hydrophis elegans — SMITH 1974: 104 Hydrophis elegans — COGGER 1983: 250 Leioselasma elegans — KHARIN 1984 Leioselasma elegans — WELCH 1994: 71 Hydrophis elegans — SHINE 1994 Hydrophis elegans — COGGER 2000: 716 Leioselasma elegans — KHARIN 2005 Hydrophis elegans — SANDERS et al. 2012 Leioselasma elegans — WALLACH et al. 2014: 367 Hydrophis elegans — EIPPER & EIPPER 2024: 259
Venomous! Synonymy partly after COGGER 1983. Habitat: marine. This species is known from 145 m depth in the Broome area, probably one of the deepest records of sea snakes (A. Rasmussen, pers. comm. 27 Jan 2016).
Uetz, P.; Freed, P.; Aguilar, R.; Reyes, F.; Kudera, J.; Hošek, J. (eds.)
Uetz, P.; Hallermann, J. et al. (editors)
Public species fields consulted for bounded biological summaries. Primary sources quoted within the database were not independently examined unless explicitly stated. The catalogue name may differ from the current source title.