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Scientists have been alerted after an unusually large number of sea snakes were spotted on beaches in Australia.
More than a dozen highly toxic seas snake to pass washed dead Or stranded in Australia’s Nanga Bay since October, raising concerns about their marine ecosystem.
The waters of Northern Australia are home to more than 20 species Of sea snakeAll of which are classified as protected marine species, and two are critically endangered.
Scientists are unsure what is causing such high numbers of sea snakes wash ashoreand urged the public to help by recording any sightings on the Australian Sea Snake Facebook page.
The Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water (DCCEEW) said, “Sea snake numbers are declining, but we are unsure why. What we do know is that they are often caught as ‘bycatch’.”
“If you see any sea snakes stranded in Shark Bay/Gathagudu in real life or in other groups, can you please encourage people to report stranded snakes here,” sea snake researcher Blanche D’Anastasi posted in a Facebook group.
However, researchers urged the public not to catch stranded sea snakes because they are highly venomous and have fragile spines.
“Sea snakes are aquatic and have very delicate tissues, bones and joints, suitable for life underwater,” Ms D’Anastasi said in a post.
Experts are still trying to understand what caused the stranded developments.
“We know that sea snakes don’t really cope well with big weather events, they get caught up in all the amphibole seagrass that washes up after cyclones,” Ms D’Anastasi told ABC News.
“True sea snakes have no need to come ashore, so when one gets trapped, there is most likely an underlying disease or injury,” he posted on Facebook.
For example, after a deadly heat wave in Shark Bay in 2010, the local population of sea snakes reportedly declined by 76 percent.
“Sea snakes are something that used to be really quite abundant, and then after that heat wave they’ve had a really drastic decline,” the researcher said.
Experts also urged the public not to push trapped snakes back into the water as beach-dwelling sea snakes are prone to being washed ashore again.
“Stay a safe distance from the animal and do not touch it. Sea snakes have long front teeth and are capable of poisoning people,” Ms D’Anastasi shared in a post.
“If possible, report your presence to the Australian Sea Snake Facebook group along with the time, date, location and any details regarding the snake’s behavior or outcome,” he said.