Belcher's Sea Snake

Belcher's Sea Snake (Hydrophis belcheri) is a snake recorded for Vietnam in the project inventory. Its supporting occurrence note is “Expert range list”. The accepted scientific name is retained because regional snake taxonomy and species boundaries can change, while similar-looking species may require scale counts, anatomy or genetic evidence for reliable separation. This profile therefore distinguishes the recorded identity and occurrence from broader biological context instead of inventing unsupported locality, size, diet or breeding details (project species data; Reptile Database taxonomy).

Hydrophis sea snakes are highly aquatic elapids with laterally compressed bodies and paddle-shaped tails for propulsion. Most remain at sea, surface to breathe and obtain prey underwater, especially fishes; species differ markedly in head shape, diet and coastal or offshore habitat. They are venomous marine wildlife and should not be handled, including when stranded or caught in fishing gear. These are genus-level notes, not Vietnam-specific observations of this taxon, so exact size, prey and reproductive figures are omitted (general Hydrophis account; Reptile Database).