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Short-nosed Sea Snake (Aipysurus apraefrontalis)

The short-nosed sea snake is a venomous sea snake found in Western Australian waters, from the Timor Sea reefs to coastal areas including Ningaloo and Exmouth Gulf. Reef flats and edges, shallow water and coral overhangs are important habitat features. [1][5]

Conservation status

Commonwealth, EPBC Act 1999: Critically endangered.

Western Australia, Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016: Critically endangered.

Commonwealth, EPBC Act 1999: Listed marine. A listed marine species under Part 13 of the EPBC Act. Killing, injuring, taking or moving it in a Commonwealth area needs a permit.

Seasonal planning

Courting was observed at Ningaloo Reef in April 2013.

Seasonal evidence: From published sources for this species.

Timing varies between sites and years.

  • April: Courting was observed at Ningaloo Reef in April 2013.

Identification: Appearance

This slender snake grows to about 60 cm and is mainly brown, with a small, pointed head and darker purplish-brown bands across its body. [1]

This slender snake grows to about 60 cm and is mainly brown, with a small, pointed head and darker purplish-brown bands across its body. [1]

Identification: Confirming identity

Confirm the identity of any suspected record with a specialist and a photograph or voucher, as required by the relevant permit.

Distribution: Known range

It occurs in Western Australia, with records from Ashmore and Hibernia Reefs and coastal locations including Exmouth Gulf, Ningaloo Reef, and offshore from Roebourne and Broome. [1][5][7]

It occurs in Western Australia, with records from Ashmore and Hibernia Reefs and coastal locations including Exmouth Gulf, Ningaloo Reef, and offshore from Roebourne and Broome. [1][5][7]

Distribution: National mapping

The Commonwealth species distribution model (SNES) maps where the species or its habitat is known, likely or may occur. Use it with local records and site inspection.

Habitat: Habitat

The species is associated with reef flats and reef edges, including shallow water along the outer reef edge. It has been reported in water deeper than 10 m, and also rests by day beneath coral overhangs or heads in about 1 to 2 m of water. [1][5][7]

The species is associated with reef flats and reef edges, including shallow water along the outer reef edge. It has been reported in water deeper than 10 m, and also rests by day beneath coral overhangs or heads in about 1 to 2 m of water. [1][5][7]

Foraging habitat: Diet

Coastal populations are thought to feed mostly on eels, and also on gobies. [1]

Coastal populations are thought to feed mostly on eels, and also on gobies. [1]

Breeding habitat: Breeding

Breeding populations have been documented in coastal Western Australia. Two short-nosed sea snakes were photographed courting at Ningaloo Reef in April 2013. [5][13]

Breeding populations have been documented in coastal Western Australia. Two short-nosed sea snakes were photographed courting at Ningaloo Reef in April 2013. [5][13]

Sheltering habitat: Shelter

During the day, short-nosed sea snakes have been observed resting beneath small coral overhangs or coral heads in 1 to 2 m of water. [5]

During the day, short-nosed sea snakes have been observed resting beneath small coral overhangs or coral heads in 1 to 2 m of water. [5]

Threats: Threats

Commercial prawn trawling can catch the snakes in nets, where they may die from injury or drowning. Warmer sea temperatures, oil spills, water contamination, dredging, and disturbance or harm from increased boat traffic are also identified as potential threats. [1]

Commercial prawn trawling can catch the snakes in nets, where they may die from injury or drowning. Warmer sea temperatures, oil spills, water contamination, dredging, and disturbance or harm from increased boat traffic are also identified as potential threats. [1]

Threats: Works risk

In-water works, dredging, or vessel activity near reef habitat could cause harm or disturbance; increased boat traffic is identified as a potential threat. Commercial prawn trawling can also catch snakes, with injuries or drowning resulting in deaths. [1]

Survey methodology: 1. Commonwealth guidance

Use methods consistent with the Commonwealth survey guidelines and engage a specialist with the right permits.

For EPBC Act referrals, survey effort and methods should be consistent with the ePBC Act publications, including the National Guidelines for the Survey of Cetaceans, Marine Turtles and the Dugong (2024), read with the Significant impact guidelines 1.1.

Survey methodology: 2. Limits

A non-detection is not proof of absence. Match survey timing to the species and season, and record effort.

Vegetation associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific vegetation association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Ecosystem associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific ecosystem association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Soil and substrate associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific soil association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Water and wetland associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific water association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Fauna records and mapped habitat: Not yet analysed

Record locations can be overlaid with mapping, but record frequency alone does not measure habitat preference. No species is excluded from desktop assessments by this analysis.

No quality-controlled record-to-map analysis has been completed for this species. The existing generalised distribution dots and indicative range polygons have not been treated as precise occurrence coordinates.

A defensible run needs dated, independently attributable records, coordinate uncertainty, duplicate and captive-record checks, layer versions and regional scope. Preference and absence require additional survey-effort and detection evidence.

Habitat limitations and contrary evidence: No supported exclusion recorded

Not recorded is not the same as cannot occur. Low suitability, resident habitat, breeding habitat and occasional movement are different conclusions.

This library has not established a vegetation, ecosystem or soil-type exclusion for this species. This does not mean all habitat is suitable; the evidence needed to justify an exclusion has not been assembled.

Habitat limitations and contrary evidence: Before using a negative association

  • Confirm the taxon, geographic region, life stage and habitat function covered by the evidence.
  • Check survey methods, season, repeated effort and detectability before interpreting non-detection.
  • Investigate credible contradictory records and microhabitats absent from broad mapping.
  • Do not convert a missing map class, low record count or failed data request into species absence.

Before disturbance: 1. Desktop and approvals

Confirm whether the project could affect the species before works begin.

Check national mapping, state records and recent surveys for the site. An action likely to have a significant impact on this nationally listed species needs EPBC Act referral, and state permits apply where it is state listed.

Before disturbance: 2. Plan to avoid

Plan in-water works, vessel movements and lighting to avoid known habitat and sensitive periods, and set observer and shutdown procedures before works start.

During disturbance: 1. Controls

Keep works inside the approved footprint and conditions.

Use spotters and exclusion zones for in-water works and vessels, and pause works if the species is seen within the zone.

During disturbance: 2. Stop and report

If the species is found unexpectedly, stop work at that spot and contact the project ecologist and the relevant agency.

After disturbance: 1. Records

Record outcomes.

Record sightings, habitat lost or retained and any injury or death, and report them under the approval conditions.

Rehabilitation: 1. Restore

Restore disturbed habitat where possible.

Remove temporary structures, restore natural flow and substrate, and monitor water quality until it returns to baseline.

Sources