About Reptiles

All sea snakes discovered so far are venomous and produce some of the most dangerous venoms known in the animal kingdom but most species are considered to be non-aggressive. The scales on their underside of most aspecies (except the kraits) are smaller in size than land snakes an can be difficult to distinguish from the adjoining scales meaning they cannot move easily on land. Their scales usually do not overlap. Adults sea snakes grow to between 120 and 150 cm with the largest species growing to 3 metres.

Sea snakes shed their skins much more frequently than land snakes; as often as every two weeks. This behaviour prevents the growth of barnacles and other animals on their skin. that grow on sea snakes. These organisms usually do not directly harm the animal; however the resulting drag can affect the snake’s swimming. By frequently knotting and shedding its skin, the snake is able to rid itself of these organisms.

Sea snakes are active both day and night and often bask in the sunlight at the surface in the morning and late afternoon. If disturbed, they can dive to depths of over 90 m. They usually remain underwater for 20 to 30 minutes but can remain there for as long as a few hours. They are often seen in schools of several dozens.

One species is classified as vulnerable, another is classified as endangered, and two species are classified as critically endangered according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Olive Sea snake

Banded Sea Krait

There are some myths about sea snakes that are worth demystifying:

1. They have fixed front fangs and can open their mouths very wide to swallow prey items. The two popular beliefs are that they are rear fanged and have small mouths - neither of which is true.

2. Australian sea snakes do not come to land unless they are sick, injured or stranded. They do not bask like sea kraits do. If someone sees a sea snake up on the beach, they should notify a wildlife Authority about it and try to keep other people and pets away from the snake. They must never ever touch the head. Here I attach a sea snake stranding protocol.

References

http://scuba-doc.com/seasnks.htm
www.avru.org/compendium/biogs/A000031b.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_snake
www.reefed.edu.au/home/explorer/animals/
marine_vertebrates/marine_reptiles/sea_snakes
www.scubadivingaustralia.com.au/wildlife/sea-snakes/

Special thanks
My thanks to Blanche D'Anastasi who provided some corrections and additions to this section. She is:

PhD Candidate
Sea snake ecology and conservation genetics
ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, School of Marine and Tropical Biology and School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, 4811