Description: Upper part of body is black or dark brown and lower part is bright yellow.
Characteristics: A highly venomous snake belonging to the cobra family. This snake is truly of the pelagic species - it never leaves the water to come to shore. It has an oar-like tail to aid its swimming. This species is quick to defend itself. Sea snakes do not really strike, but deliberately turn and bite if molested. A small amount of their neurotoxic venom can cause death.
Habitat: Found in all oceans except the Atlantic Ocean.
Length: Average 0.7 meter, maximum 1.1 meters.
Distribution: Throughout the Pacific Ocean from many of the Pacific Islands to Hawaii and to the coast of Costa Rica and Panama.
SEA SNAKES
Yellow-bellied Sea Snakes
Description: Smooth-scaled snake that is a pale shade of blue with back bands. Its oarlike tail provides propulsion in swimming.
Characteristics: Most active at night, swimming close to shore and at times entering tide pools. Its venom is a very potent neurotoxim. Its victims are usually fishermen who untangle these deadly snakes from large fish nets.
Habitat: Common in all oceans, absent in the Atlantic Ocean.
Length: Average 75 centimeters, maximum 1.2 meters.
Distribution: Coastal waters of New Guinea, pacific Islands, the Phllippines, Southeast Asia, Sri Lanka, and Japan.
BANDED SEA SNAKE
