THE REPTILES OF AUSTRALIA
TRUE SEA SNAKES and SEA KRAITS

LARGE-HEADED SEA SNAKE
(or Pacific Seasnake)
Hydrophis pacificus
Highly Venomous
(but rarely bites humans)

Distribution around Australia:- Distribution around Australia:- In Australia they are usually found off the coast of Northern Territory and in the Gulf of Carpentaria, Queensland.

Distribution outside of Australia:- New Guinea and the Gilbert Islands


Approximate distribution of the Large Headed Sea Snake (Hydrophis pacificus) in Australia




Venomous snakes do not always inject venom when biting, those bites are called dry bites, however due to the extremely high toxicity of the venom of this species, it is vital that first aid is performed immediately (constrictive bandage etc.) and the patient is taken as fast as possible to hospital. Lack of symptoms may not mean that the victim has not been envenomated.

Correct and immediate first aid and treatment for this species and other dangerous snakes increases the chance of survival.

Although people are commonly bitten by dangerous snakes in Australia, the actual number of deaths is actually very low, due to antivenines and medical procedures.