Aipysurus laevis facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Aipysurus laevis
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Genus:	Aipysurus
Species:	laevis

Aipysurus laevis is a species of venomous sea snake found in the Indo-Pacific. Its common names include golden sea snake, olive sea snake, and olive-brown sea snake.

The olive sea snake swims using a paddle-like tail. It has brownish and purple scales along the top of its body whilst its underside is a white color. It can grow up to a meter in length, and in some cases up to two meters. While it can be aggressive towards prey, attacks on divers or larger animals are usually rare, though if provoked it will engage the attacker. The snake's main predators are sharks and ospreys.

It is a common, widespread species that lives on coral reefs, including the Great Barrier Reef. It can also be found in the north-western Atlantic Ocean and the north-eastern Pacific Ocean. The creature hides in small coves or protective coral areas if not hunting or surfacing to breathe. It feeds on crustaceans, fish, and fish eggs. It uses venom to incapacitate its prey. This snake in particular has venom that contains enzymes which break down the prey from within for easier digestion. The venom also affects both the muscles and nerves of the prey and drop-for-drop it is the most toxic sea snake. The snake usually hunts in coral reef areas, searching for food via poking their head through crevices. The creature usually stays away from open water as a hunting ground.

Aipysurus laevis has been found to have photoreceptors in the skin of its tail, allowing it to detect light and presumably ensuring it is completely hidden, including its tail, inside coral holes during the day. While other species have not been tested, A. laevis possibly is not unique among sea snakes in this respect. Dermal light sensitivity is found in all the major animal phyla.

Males can reach sexual maturity in their third year, while females do not until their fourth or fifth year. Courtship usually involves a group of males vying for one female, which occurs in open water. Fertilization is internal and lasts for about nine months. Females can give birth up to five young at a time. In rare cases there can be ten or eleven young at once. Life expectancy of the snake is about fifteen years, sometimes a bit longer.

While there are not many threats to the Aipysurus laevis, man-made dangers do exist for it. Prawn trawls are one of the greatest threats for the creature, up to 50% of olive sea snakes caught in trawls are killed, while the ones that survive usually suffer injuries. Death from prawn trawls often comes either from drowning or being crushed.

Taxonomy

A species first described by Bernard Germain de Lacépède in 1804, assigning it to a new genus Aipysurus. A name published by John Edward Gray, Aipysurus jukesii, is regarded as a synonym for this species.

Currently, two subspecies are recognized, including the nominotypical subspecies described here.

The subspecies A. l. pooleorum has been elevated to full species status as A. pooleorum.

Etymology

The specific name, pooleorum (masculine, genitive plural), is in honor of Australian fishermen "W. and W. Poole" who collected the holotype.