Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | Environment
Why in News?
A venomous yellow-bellied sea snake was recently spotted on a beach in Orange County, California.
Key Highlights
- Location – Crystal Cove State Beach, Orange County, just north of Laguna Beach, California.
- Rarity – It is the 6th of its species to visit California since 1972.
- The species does not generally venture north of Baja California, Mexico.
Reasons for the Appearance
- El Niño – Warm waters from El Niño are pushing several species north of their usual range.
- Oceanographers had warned in July–August that snakes and hammerhead sharks could arrive.
- Ocean currents – Warm water moving north can carry the snakes along, and if the water stays warm, they may not realise they have strayed from their habitat.
- Other unusual visitors – Hammerhead sharks near Malibu and Laguna Beach, a whale shark, and a longfinned bigeye fish off the Venice Fishing Pier.
Yellow-Bellied Sea Snake
- Scientific name – Hydrophis platurus (also called the pelagic sea snake).
- Family – Elapidae (the cobra family).
- Habitat – Warm tropical and subtropical waters of the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
- It is among the most widely distributed snakes in the world.
- Appearance – A bright yellow underside contrasting with a darker upper body, and a flattened, paddle-like tail for swimming.
- Lifestyle – A true sea snake, fully adapted to ocean life. It gives birth to live young in the water and does not need to come ashore.
- Diet – It uses venom to subdue fish.
- Behaviour – Very venomous but clumsy and sluggish out of water, and not inclined to bite or be aggressive.
- IUCN status – Least Concern.
Reference
Times of India | Yellow-bellied venomous sea snake
