belcher's sea snake

                The Faint-banded sea snake is the most poisonous of all the snakes in the world, and by some considered to be the most toxic animal in the world. This snake is typically found in the Indian Ocean, off the coasts of the Phillipines, New Guinea, and Thailand. The toxicity of this snake's poison is so potent that it can kill a person in less than 30 minutes. The good news about this snake is that it seems to be quite friendly and mild-tempered, and if it does decide to bite, studies show that only 25% of the time will it release its venom. It is on the top of the poisonous animals list.

                The Faint-banded sea snake is of moderate size, ranging from 0.5 to 1 meter (about 20-40 inches) in adult length. Its thin body is usually chrome yellowish in colour with dark greenish crossbands. The dorsal pattern does not extend onto the venter. The head is short and has bands of the same colours. Its mouth is very small but suitable for aquatic life. Its body when viewed out of water appears to have a faint yellow colour. Its scales are different from most other snakes in that they overlap each other. Each dorsal scale has a central tubercle. The body is strongly laterally compressed posteriorly. The ventral scales are very narrow, only slightly wider than the dorsal scales.

                Like other sea snakes, it has a paddle-like tail which makes it an expert swimmer, and it rarely goes on land. It eats fish and shellfish. It breathes air, and has valves over its nostrils that close underwater. It can hold its breath for as long as 7 to 8 hours while hunting and even sleeping, but then has to surface for a quick breath of air. It is generally docile and not aggressive. It may deliver a provoked bite only after repeated severe treatment. It usually bites fishermen handling nets, but only 25% of those bitten are envenomed.

                When underwater, it will propel by paddling its’ tail allowing it to move around at fast speeds. Like other sea snakes, it will have to visit the surface of the water from time to time. The primary food source of the belcher sea snake is small fishes, fish eggs, and shell fish. It can hold its breath up to 7-8 hours during hunting for food in the water. The snake is typically found swimming near by tropical reefs in the Indian Ocean, New Guinea, Gulf of Thailand, Indonesia, and off the coast of the Philippines. They don’t pose such a big threat to humans since they live in remote places.