slender-necked sea snake; Hydrophis melanocephalus
A species of venomous sea snake found in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. The Japanese name literally means 'black-headed sea snake'.
The slender-necked sea snake inhabits tropical seas.
The diver observed a slender-necked sea snake.
Katakana spelling is standard for this species name; usually written in kana.
Kanji spelling is rare; the word is usually written in kana.
Compound of 黒 (kuro, 'black'), 頭 (kashira, 'head'), and 海蛇 (umihebi, 'sea snake'). The name describes the snake's distinctive black head.