Shaw's sea snake (Lapemis curtus )
Family Hydrophiidae

Description: Less than 100cm in length. Yellow with dark bands, which often take on a rough diamond shape, thicker over the spine and converging to points at the flanks. May have dark patches above each eye. Undersides pale. Laterally flattened tail, diagnostic of all sea snakes. Juveniles more strikingly coloured, bright yellow against black.

Habitat: Warm, shallow waters over reefs, seagrass or sand.

Range: Throughout the UAE, including the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Gulf, but restricted to shallow water.

Comments: This species is less often seen than the Arabian Gulf and yellow sea snake. Dangerous, with a potentially fatal bite.