SPECIES: Aipysurus fuscus — Dusky Sea Snake
CLASSIFICATION: Endangered
Gliding through the warm coastal waters of northern Australia, the sleek and elusive Dusky Sea Snake is a highly specialised marine reptile, perfectly adapted to life beneath the waves. Found only in the shallow coral reefs of Western Australia’s Ashmore and Hibernia Reefs – and with a paddle-like tail for swimming – the Dusky Sea Snake has the ability to extract oxygen through its skin, rarely needing to surface for air. Unlike many sea snakes, it gives birth to live young rather than laying eggs, ensuring its offspring are born ready for life at sea.
Once abundant, this species is now endangered, with populations plummeting due to habitat degradation, coral reef decline, and historical bycatch in fishing nets. The Dusky Sea Snake is a stark reminder of how interconnected ocean ecosystems are – and why protecting them is urgent.
Photo: Chris Malam