© Susan PriorCC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist
Banded Snake Eel
Leiuranus semicinctus
Giant Snake Eel
Ophisurus serpens
- Max size
- View in app
- Max depth
- 300 m
- Found in
- 61 regions
How to recognise it
- Colours
- whitebrowngreysilvergreen
- Body shape
- Anguilliform
Ophisurus serpens is an eel of the genus Ophisurus, found in the eastern Atlantic, western Mediterranean, western Indian Ocean, western Pacific, and the north east coast of North Island in New Zealand.
Description
Its length is between 150 and 250 centimetres. Body is olive green to greyish brown above, paler below. Head pores are black. When young is silvery.
Distribution
Circumglobal: Atlantic (northern coast of Iberian peninsula to South Africa, also Madeira and western Mediterranean) and Indo-Pacific: southern Mozambique to South Africa; north to Japan, south to Australia.
Habitat
It can be found to depths of about 300 m, on sandy or muddy bottoms near rock outcrops.
Similar species
© Susan PriorCC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist 
© Dan SchofieldCC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist
Crocodile Snake Eel
Brachysomophis crocodilinus
© Jay ParolineCC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist
Highfin Snake Eel
Ophichthus altipennis
© coenobitaCC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist
Longfin Snake Eel
Pisodonophis cancrivorus
© Rickard ZerpeCC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist
Marbled Snake Eel
Callechelys marmorata
© portioidCC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist
Napoleon Snake Eel
Ophichthus bonaparti
Questions
Is Giant Snake Eel dangerous?
Giant Snake Eel has no known danger to humans. However, always observe marine life responsibly.
Where can you find Giant Snake Eel?
How deep does Giant Snake Eel live?
Giant Snake Eel can be found at depths of up to 300 meters.
