What reproductive mode describes the development of young inside the mother, leading to live birth in *H. platurus*?
Answer
Ovoviviparous
The yellow-bellied sea snake exclusively reproduces while remaining at sea, utilizing an ovoviviparous strategy. This means that the process involves the internal development of young where the eggs hatch inside the mother's body, resulting in the birth of fully formed, miniature versions of the adults, rather than laying external eggs. This mode of reproduction requires conditions suitable for embryonic development, specifically mating is believed to occur only when water temperatures exceed approximately 20 °C (68 °F). The resulting litter size is typically small, usually ranging from two to eight young.
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