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Sea snakes Facts

Sea snakes Facts
Sea snakes are group of snakes adapted to the life in salty and brackish water. Sea snakes belong to the family of cobras. These snakes can be found in the Indian and Pacific Ocean. There are around 60 species of sea snakes that differ in size, color, type of diet and habitat. Sea snakes are part of various ecosystems: coral reefs, estuaries, mangrove swamps, sandy bottoms and open ocean. Major threats to the survival of sea snakes are climate changes (which affect their habitat), by-catch (they end up trapped in fish nets by accident), habitat loss and habitat destruction. Several species of sea snakes are on the list of endangered species.
Interesting Sea snakes Facts:
Size of sea snake depends on the species. They are usually 3.9 to 4.9 feet long. Largest sea snake can reach 9.8 feet in length.
Color and patterns on the body of sea snakes depend on the species. Alternating rings of various colors (black, red, grey, white or blue) are commonly seen in sea snakes. Some species are uniformly colored.
Body of sea snakes is adapted to the life in water. They look like eels with flattened tail which facilitates swimming. Sea snakes are clumsy on the solid ground.
Nostrils of sea snakes are equipped with moveable valves that prevent water to enter the nose when they are under the water.
Sea snakes have glands that excrete excess salt from their body.
Sea snakes can dive to the depth of 300 feet. Most species prefer to dive in shallow water. They are able to spend up to one hour under the water without returning to the surface to breathe. On average, they dive for 30 minutes.
Even though they live in the water, sea snakes breathe using the lungs. Other than lungs, sea snakes can breathe via their skin. This feature is not characteristic for terrestrial snakes.
Sea snakes are active both during the day and night.
Sea snakes are carnivores (meat eaters). Their diet mainly consists of different types of fish, crustaceans, mollusks and eggs of various sea creatures.
Venom of sea snakes is very strong. They use it to kill their prey and to protect themselves in the case of danger.
Other than venom, some sea snakes produce enzyme that induces digestion of the prey from the moment of bite.
Sea snakes are poisonous but they are not aggressive creatures. Attacks of sea snakes are usually result of self defense.
Mating season of sea snakes depends on the species. Only several species will lay eggs on the solid ground. Most species give birth to live snakes.
Females give birth once in two year. Pregnancy in some females may last 9 months. Number of babies ranges from couple to more than 25.
Sea snakes can survive for more than 10 years in the wild.


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