![]() ![]() Unlike other sea snakes that actively pursue their prey, the yellow-bellied sea snake relies on a slow, stealthy approach. This may have an advantage for the snakes because there are often high concentrations of small fish associated with drift lines, and fish seem to aggregate beneath the snakes as if the snakes were floating logs. These open water snakes are often reported drifting with currents at the surface and they accumulate in windblown drift lines. Yellow-bellied sea snakes have been reported swimming slowly or floating motionless at the surface, but bursts of rapid swimming have been observed when the snakes are disturbed, during dives, and while feeding. Excess salt from the seawater and fish diet is excreted through special glands in the snake’s mouth. Nitrogen is also released across the skin, perhaps reducing the snake’s chances of getting the bends as it surfaces rapidly. The large amount of skin between the scales is richly supplied with blood vessels and acts like a gill, oxygen enters and waste carbon dioxide leaves across the skin surface. These snakes may spend up to 90% of their time underwater and can stay submerged for periods of 10 to 90 minutes, and possibly longer. The tail is flattened and broadened to form an effective paddle for swimming. The sea snake’s scales are knob-like and fit against one another like bricks, rather than overlapping as in land snakes. The belly is tapered like the keel of a boat for stability in the water, and this snake lacks the flattened belly scales that give land snakes traction on the ground. Valved nostrils are located high on the snout for breathing while swimming or basking at the surface. The sea snake’s body shows many adaptations for life in the ocean. While it is considered a pelagic (open ocean) species, it is occasionally carried into shallow water close to shore, or may even be beached during period of strong winds. Unique among sea snakes, the yellow-bellied sea snake usually lives completely out at sea, criss-crossing the ocean by riding the ocean currents. It is found throughout the Indian and Pacific Oceans and from the eastern coast of Africa to the western coast of Central America. The yellow-bellied sea snake, Pelamis platurus, is the most widespread snake species on earth. McClatchy News reached out to Hervey Bay Snake Catchers for comment and is waiting for a response.This article is for educational purposes, these animals are not on exhibit at Waikīkī Aquarium ![]() “It’s scarier to think of a world without snakes than a world with snakes,” he told the outlet. The man, identified as Drew Godfrey, told that people often have the wrong impression of snakes. especially after that ordeal,” the man said before placing the tiny reptile into a box labeled DANGER VENOMOUS SNAKES. “I’m tempted to just pick him up and hold him. The snake was unscathed – just “a little dusty and confused,” according to the post. “I was afraid that we were gonna open it up to a dead snake,” the man said in the video. While venomous, they aren’t considered dangerous to humans. The snakes are found throughout most of Australia and can grow up to 3 feet in length, according to the Australian Museum. It was identified as a recently hatched yellow-faced whip snake. I bet that sucked for you,” he said while holding the creature by its tail. “So just when you think you’ve seen it all in this job, someone calls you and says their wife has sucked a snake up with the vacuum cleaner,” the Hervey Bay Snake Catchers, a Queensland company, said in a May 4 Facebook post.Ī video posted by the company shows a man dismantling a vacuum outside the home to search for the scaly creature.Īfter tearing open the vacuum bag, he can be seen pulling a small snake out from under a pile of dust and debris. The incident occurred at a home in Australia, and a snake catcher was called for assistance. A snake managed to survive after it was swallowed by a much larger snake-like object: a vacuum cleaner.
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