Convict snake eel

The Convict snake eel (Leiuranus versicolor) is an eel in the family Ophichthidae (worm/snake eels).^[2] It was described by John Richardson in 1848.^[3] It is a tropical, marine eel which is known from the Pacific Ocean, including Palau, Australia, Papua New Guinea, and Norfolk Island. It dwells at a depth range of 3–18 m (10–59 ft), and forms burrows in the soft bottoms of inshore regions. Males can reach a maximum total length of 75.4 cm (29.7 in).^[2]

Convict snake eel
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Anguilliformes
Family:	Ophichthidae
Genus:	Leiuranus
Species:	L. versicolor
Binomial name
Leiuranus versicolor (Richardson, 1848)
Synonyms[2]
Ophisurus versicolor Richardson, 1848 Cyclophichthys versicolor (Richardson, 1848) Elapsopis versicolor (Richardson, 1848) Elapsopsis versicolor (Richardson, 1848) Ophichthus cyclorhinus Fraser-Brunner, 1934 Cyclophichthys cyclorhinus (Fraser-Brunner, 1934) Elapsopis cyclorhinus (Fraser-Brunner, 1934)