Marine File Snake
Acrochordus granulatus
A small, fully aquatic file snake with banded coloration that lives in coastal marine waters, estuaries, and mangroves across the Indo-Pacific.
- Venomous?
- Non-venomous
- Adult length
- 0.6-1.2 m (2-4 ft)
- Range
- Coastal Indo-Pacific waters
Found a snake like this?
Identify any snake from a photo, free.
Overview
The marine file snake is the smallest and most widely distributed member of the file snake family, occupying coastal marine and brackish habitats across a vast stretch of the Indo-Pacific. Unlike true sea snakes, it is not an elapid and lacks any venom apparatus.
It is harmless to humans and is entirely dependent on water, using its distinctive rough, granular scales to grip fish rather than any toxin, making it a benign though ecologically important part of coastal food webs.
How to identify it
- Distinctive pattern of dark gray, olive, or black bands or blotches against a lighter grayish background
- Small, rough, granular scales covering a loose-fitting, baggy skin
- Compressed, paddle-like tail adapted for swimming
- Small eyes and nostrils positioned for a mostly submerged lifestyle
- Smaller and more slender than its freshwater relatives
- Adults typically 0.6-1.2 m in length
Habitat & range
Inhabits coastal marine waters, river mouths, estuaries, and mangrove ecosystems across a broad range spanning from the Indian subcontinent through Southeast Asia to northern Australia and the western Pacific. Tolerates a wide range of salinities from fully marine to brackish and even fresh water near river mouths.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Nocturnal and fully aquatic, rarely if ever coming ashore. Feeds primarily on small fish, gripped using its rough granular scales in the absence of strong constriction or venom.
A live-bearing species, producing litters of live young in the water. Generally non-aggressive toward humans.
Frequently asked questions
Is the marine file snake venomous?
No, it is non-venomous, unlike true sea snakes, and captures prey using rough scales rather than toxin.
Is the marine file snake a true sea snake?
No, it belongs to a separate family (Acrochordidae) and is not related to venomous elapid sea snakes.
How big does the marine file snake get?
Adults typically reach 0.6-1.2 m (2-4 ft), the smallest of the file snake species.
Where is the marine file snake found?
It occurs in coastal and estuarine waters across much of the Indo-Pacific region.
Marine File Snake guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Marine File Snake.
