Understanding Sea Snakes

A very important fact about sea snakes, is that they are extremely poisonous creatures. Barring a few, most of the types can attack at the slightest provocation, although, they are known to be a very 'reserved' species. They never attack unless provoked and avoid contact with other animals, especially humans. Once they are chafed, a sea snake can get really aggressive and sustains its attack for a long period. The venom of a typical sea snake is 2-10 times more 'effective' than that of a cobra. However, these creatures use venom to catch their prey and not for self defense. The bite of a sea snake is largely painless. Muscle ache, jaw spasm or pain in the bitten limb, are the symptoms that start developing within 30 minutes of the bite. The neuro-toxin content of the venom causes drowsiness, respiratory paralysis or blurry vision. Its mating season is winter, during which it can get really aggressive. These poisonous snakes dwell in regions where river water meets the sea. They need fresh water or extremely diluted salt water for drinking.

The pelagic sea snake or the yellow belly, is the most common type of sea snake, found in the Pacific ocean, near the coast of Madagascar and also the Hawaiian islands in America. It is also found in Australasia, with the Great Barrier Reef alone playing host to 32 species of sea snakes. Other variants have a limited habitat in the Indian and western Pacific ocean. Despite of their ability to live in the ocean, sea snakes are generally found in the coastal areas or places with shallow water. In fact, since they need fresh water, some have been spotted more than 100 km up the rivers, near the coasts. Except for one species the genus Laticauda, all other species are ovoviviparous. In some species, the neonates are almost half the size of their mothers.

Sea snakes are poached for their organs, meat and skin but aren't included in the endangered species list. Sea snakes are attracted to light and hence, easily lured by human beings.They are even considered a delicacy in the Orient. These beautiful creatures deserve to be treated with great respect as they form an integral part of the marine world.

The Diamondback rattlesnakes reach a sexual maturity at age 3 and mating occurs during the spring right after the snakes emerge from hibernation. The female snakes are very passive during the courtship. The copulation can last for several hours which also consist of several resting periods. These snakes are ovoviviparous that is the eggs remain inside the snakes body right until the hatch or are ready to hatch. The gestation period lasts for six to seven moths and the snake gives birth to about an average of dozen young ones.

The young snakes are often born between July and early October and the neonates are about 30-36 centimeters in length. They are very similar to the adult snakes in appearance except for the fact that the neonates have only a small button at the tip of their rattle instead of a rattle.

The young snakes stay with the mothers for a few days and sometimes only for a few hours before setting off on their own to hunt and find their own recluse. Hence the mortality rate is very high.