Banded Sea Snake

Description of Banded Sea Snake

 

Banded sea snakes can be easily spotted by its light blue and black bands. They are one of the fastest swimmers among the seven species of s snakes in the family of poisonous reptiles around the globe. The banded sea snakes have compressed tail which propel in the water. The valvular nostrils and valve like flaps will be shut when submerged in the water. Because they must surface the water to obtain oxygen, they can be frequently seen in the shallow waters of the beautiful barrier reefs of the vast ocean.

 

Diet of Banded Sea Snake

 

Banded sea snakes live in the tropical reefs except the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean. Their carnivorous diet consists of small animals such as the crabs, squid, eels, fish and eggs. They usually locate their food source in the shallow waters of the coral reefs and estuaries. Fishes that are migrating the ocean waters will return to lay their eggs in the shallow waters in the sea. The fishes will lay their eggs in the barrier reefs. In this way, the babies fishes will be protected from dangerous prey and provide food. The sea snakes know this and often lurk around in the reefs to feed on the fish eggs. The same area of the waters is also visited by larger predators such as the sharks.

Shedding of Skin of Banded Sea Snake

 

The sea snakes must often navigate to the water surface to breathe. The sea snakes are capable of remaining submerged in the water for several hours with their lungs operating as usual. Banded sea snakes have no eyelids. Instead, the modified scales will protect their eyes. The sea snakes shed the scales on their skin more frequently than the land snakes to defend it selves from parasites which attaches to them.

 

Venom of Banded Sea Snake

 

The neurotoxic venom of the banded sea snake can has an impact on the nervous system. If it produces more than 1.5 mg of venom into the victim, the victim will die immediately. Most of the sea snake will produce approximately 15 mg venom when they are faced with a threat so you must be caution when approaching them. The sea snake can produce 10x more lethal venom compare to the African rattlesnake. A decapitated sea snake is capable of producing a life threatening bite strike so you must always be careful when handling them. Sometimes, a sea snake bite is not obvious and the victim is often ignorant because of their small fangs. Despite that, the banded sea snake has a calm appearance.