Colin
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http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22355191-5006009,00.html
Seasick snake slithers home
By Saffron Howden, Environment Reporter
September 04, 2007 12:00am
He's one of the deadliest snakes in the world. But by the time he washes up at your local beach, he's likely to be tired, battered and a long way from home. This yellow-bellied sea snake was found coiled in amongst sea kelp half way along Maroubra Beach and taken in by Sydney Aquarium to be nursed back to health before he is released back into the ocean.
The sea-going creature usually travels in huge groups of fellow yellow-bellied snakes - which form tight-knit, writhing platforms up to 5km in length and 200m across. The cluster lures into its shadow schools of small fish like anchovies and sardines seeking cover in the open seas. That's when the snakes attack.
The venom released when their small but lethal fangs dig into the fish flesh is almost as toxic as the deadly Asianic Cobra's. Despite its predatory nature in the ocean depths, the yellow-bellied sea snake is largely harmless on shore.
"They're quite inactive on the land," Sydney Aquarium senior aquarist Hamish Tristram said.
"They're very retiring, very sluggish ... compared to a land snake." Only a handful of the snakes wash up on Sydney's beaches each year during Summer and never in the colder months.
The appearance of this 10-year-old male, which is fully mature at a length of more than half a metre, at Maroubra in August is highly unusual and could be an omen of the impact of climate change and global warming, Mr Tristram said.
"We've noticed patterns with animals that haven't been around before," he said. "These things are good indicators as to what is happening (more widely)." He was found by a member of the public, who reported the find to lifesavers who in turn called authorities.
"It was exhausted. It was basically curled up in a tight ball and it was cold," Mr Tristram said.
"They tend to have copped quite a battering (when they're found on land)." The sea snake was checked for parasites and gum rot and has been force-fed by aquarists to give him strength before he is released 5km out from Sydney in two weeks.
Mr Tristram said the snake would only be dangerous to people if he was provoked or restricted.
Yellow-bellied sea snakes, also known by their scientific name Pelamis platurus, have a paddle-shaped tail and a distinctive black and yellow underside. They can live for around 20 years, but reach maturity at about three years of age.
Seasick snake slithers home
By Saffron Howden, Environment Reporter
September 04, 2007 12:00am
He's one of the deadliest snakes in the world. But by the time he washes up at your local beach, he's likely to be tired, battered and a long way from home. This yellow-bellied sea snake was found coiled in amongst sea kelp half way along Maroubra Beach and taken in by Sydney Aquarium to be nursed back to health before he is released back into the ocean.
The sea-going creature usually travels in huge groups of fellow yellow-bellied snakes - which form tight-knit, writhing platforms up to 5km in length and 200m across. The cluster lures into its shadow schools of small fish like anchovies and sardines seeking cover in the open seas. That's when the snakes attack.
The venom released when their small but lethal fangs dig into the fish flesh is almost as toxic as the deadly Asianic Cobra's. Despite its predatory nature in the ocean depths, the yellow-bellied sea snake is largely harmless on shore.
"They're quite inactive on the land," Sydney Aquarium senior aquarist Hamish Tristram said.
"They're very retiring, very sluggish ... compared to a land snake." Only a handful of the snakes wash up on Sydney's beaches each year during Summer and never in the colder months.
The appearance of this 10-year-old male, which is fully mature at a length of more than half a metre, at Maroubra in August is highly unusual and could be an omen of the impact of climate change and global warming, Mr Tristram said.
"We've noticed patterns with animals that haven't been around before," he said. "These things are good indicators as to what is happening (more widely)." He was found by a member of the public, who reported the find to lifesavers who in turn called authorities.
"It was exhausted. It was basically curled up in a tight ball and it was cold," Mr Tristram said.
"They tend to have copped quite a battering (when they're found on land)." The sea snake was checked for parasites and gum rot and has been force-fed by aquarists to give him strength before he is released 5km out from Sydney in two weeks.
Mr Tristram said the snake would only be dangerous to people if he was provoked or restricted.
Yellow-bellied sea snakes, also known by their scientific name Pelamis platurus, have a paddle-shaped tail and a distinctive black and yellow underside. They can live for around 20 years, but reach maturity at about three years of age.
can't keep these guys, unfortunately but would be an awesome display in a large aquarium. Interesting animals too.
