Belcher’s Sea Snake (Hydrophis belcheri) photographed reference specimen from Marine Reptiles (2011); specimen condition not documented.

Photo credit and licence

Rasmussen AR, Murphy JC, Ompi M, Gibbons JW, Uetz P (2011) · CC BY 2.5 · Licence · Source · Full frame retained; resized and converted to WebP; metadata removed.

Elapidae

Belcher’s Sea Snake

Hydrophis belcheri

A marine snake reported from the Arafura Sea in a 2014 account of Australian sea snakes.

Venomous

Identification and appearance

The sources checked here do not provide a reliable set of visible field-identification features.

Other names

Faint-banded Sea Snake

Typical length

AROD reports an average size of 100 cm in an account citing a 2014 single Australian record; no separate maximum is given.

Key identification features

Marine species with an Australian Arafura Sea record

Where it is found

AROD cites a 2014 report of one Australian specimen from the Arafura Sea and separately lists NT and QLD. These records do not establish a complete Australian shoreline range or a current national specimen count.

Reproduction

Live-bearing.

Medical significance

The sources checked document venom but do not establish species-specific effects in people. Treat any possible bite as an emergency and call 000.

What to do if you encounter one

Keep your distance in the water or on shore. Do not touch, catch or attempt to move a sea snake, including one washed onto a beach. Keep other people and pets away.

Sources checked

Atlas of Living Australia — Belcher’s Sea Snake (2026-09-25)
AROD — Belcher's Sea Snake (2026-09-25)
CSIRO CAAB — Hydrophis belcheri (2026-09-25)
The Reptile Database — Hydrophis belcheri (2026-09-25)
ANZCOR — First Aid Management of Australian Snake Bite (2026-09-25)

For any suspected snakebite, call 000 and follow snakebite first aid.

Snake bite first aid

Call 000 for an ambulance for any suspected snakebite, even if the person feels well.

If they are unresponsive and not breathing normally, start CPR immediately. CPR takes priority over bandaging.

If the person is unresponsive but breathing normally, gently place them on their side, keep their airway open and keep checking their breathing. Follow the emergency operator’s instructions.

Keep them lying still and reassured. For an arm or leg bite, apply a firm pressure bandage over the bite and along the whole limb, then splint it. Leave the bandage and splint in place for hospital staff. Stay with the person and monitor breathing.

Do not wash, cut or suck the bite, apply a tourniquet, or try to catch or kill the snake.

Based on ANZCOR snakebite guidance and pressure immobilisation guidance. Sources checked 25–26 September 2026.

Read the full first-aid guide →

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