Sea Snakes

Sea Snakes and Eels

Most sea snakes look similar to eels because their bodies are more flattened than a typical land snakes. Additionally, they have tails that are shaped like paddles to allow them to swim better in the water.

Sea Snakes Adaptation

Sea snakes are not completely adapted to marine life, however, because they do not have gills. This means they must surface regularly in order to breathe. Because of this, it is quite common to see sea snakes coming up for air. There are many venomous snakes on land, but some of the sea snakes are the most venomous of all. There are 62 sea snake species and they range significantly in disposition and aggressiveness. Some will only bite if they are being provoked when other species will bite quite readily.

Sea Snakes Growth

 

The sea snakes grow to four to five feet in length in most species. The Hydrophis psiralis is the largest sea snake specie and it can reach lengths of up to 10 feet. Sea snakes have dorsal nostrils and small, round eyes. Sea snakes have heads very similar to land snakes, but they have shorter fangs and more teeth.

 

Sea Snakes Sensory Perception

The sea snakes use their tongues under water to "smell" much like they do on land. However, they do not stick their tongues out very far at all. In fact, usually only the forked part of the tongue is visible. Since sea snakes must surface for air they have to be really good at holding their breath for long periods of time. To afford them this opportunity the sea snakes have large lungs that are almost as long as the sea snake’s body.

 

It is believed that the lung also allows the snake to take in extra air for long dives. They are also able to "breathe" through their skins and can meet about 20% of their need for oxygen this way. This also allows sea snakes to stay under water longer.

 

Sea Snakes Salty

 

Something interesting about sea snakes that few people consider is their salt intake. Since they live in the water they ingest much more salt than other snakes or animals do. This means their bodies must adapt to the increased salt concentration they have in their blood as a result. The sea snake now has a gland within their mouths that allows them to remove salt from their mouth with their tongue.