Yellow-bellied sea serpents, which are highly venomous and can be found washed up on beaches in New South Wales. The aquatic snake lives on the ocean’s surface and can be ten times more dangerous than an African cobra. According to local authorities, the sea serpents were washed onto the beaches by rough seas. Even if the tropical sea snake appears dead, it should never be touched. The persistent bite reflex of the tropical sea snake is still active after death, even after being decapitated. The venom can cause serious injury or even death to a person. Yellow-bellied sea serpent Pelamis platura (also known as the pelagic ocean snake) is found throughout the globe’s tropical oceanic waters, except the Atlantic Ocean. Carolyn Larcombe shared this Facebook photo with the comment “This was taken in Congo, just south Moruya this morning.” They are dangerous tropical pelagic marine snakes that can be venomous. The presence of the snake could be due to strong storm currents. (Image: www.facebook.com). Carolyn Larcombe from Burra, near Canberra, saw the small, yellow-bellied sea serpent while she was walking on Congo Beach. It is located 8km southeast from Moruya, NSW’s stunning South Coast. This beach is about two hours drive from Canberra. Ms. Larcombe said that she was amazed by the unusual colours of the snake, which had a bright yellow body with dark slate-blue on its top and dark spots down its tail. This aids in swimming. Ms. Larcombe stated that the snake was quiet and she was able put it on a stick to get it out of the water. Later, another larger specimen was found with similar features and she was also able to bring it back to the water. Ms. Larcombe stated that she was not afraid of snakes, but rather being extremely careful. They had more chance of survival in water than they did up high on the sand. “They are very, very pretty. It is always exciting to look at new things, and it’s nice to know that some of them may have made it back into the water. A yellow-bellied sea serpent. Predators are warned by its distinctive colours. Image: threatenedtaxa.org. About the yellow-bellied Sea Snake. The Yellow-bellied Sea Snake is approximately 1 m long and has an even wider geographical range than other reptiles, with the exception of some sea turtles. You can see them off east Africa’s coast, including Djibouti (in the north) and Cape Town (in the south), as well as in the Indian Ocean, Pacific, and as far as New Zealand’s northern coast. They also reach the American coast. According to the Marine Education Society of Australia, the snake is passively affected by warm currents and lives in the ocean’s surface layers. The snake is almost helpless on land. The sea snakes are often washed on beaches by storms and rarely make it to the ocean. The distribution of Pelamis platura is extensive, extending from East Africa to the West Coast of America. Image: Wikipedia. They eat small fish and immobilize them with their powerful venom. These snakes are very cautious and slow hunters. They wait motionless or approach their prey slowly, then ambush small fish who come under them. The yellow-bellied sea serpent has few predators (unlike other species). Bright colours are a sign that the sea snake is either toxic or poisonous to inhale. Two to six young live are born to females. They do not lay eggs. The young will feed from their first day, even though they are usually born with large fat reserves. Most sea snakes breathe through their skin. Yellow-bellied sea serpents get 20% all the oxygen they need through their skin. It can stay underwater for a very long time before it comes up and starts to breath again. According to Waikiki Aquarium, they can remain submerged for 10 up to 90, minutes. Video: The Yellow Bellied Sea Snake
Australian beach snakes extremely venomous
