Re: Unidentified sea snake - Kenya

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Posted by Harry Shankman on April 04, 1999 at 17:10:48:

In Reply to: Unidentified sea snake - Kenya posted by David on February 27, 1999 at 05:21:40:

: Whilst in Kenya I was swimming in off the coast in a lagoon. Water depth about 9ft with some corals and grasses. A snake 4-5ft long with coloured bands (red and black) swam past to the surface (got some air?) then went down again I followed and it swam about a bit at one point looked in a hole in the sandy sea bed. Any ideas what it was the local fishermen told me it was very poisonous.

: Suggestions welcome

: Ta

:: dear David: I returned from Kenya Last Oct. (98). Wolfgang is correct. However, Laticauda colubrina does have various color morphs which do range to the "red " spectrum. Aside from this, the term "poisonous" is misused; "venomous" refers to an animal (or other organisms) which INTRODUCE their toxins via a spine, fang, or other method. The term POISONOUS is used for animals that introduce their toxins other ways: ingestion, or via contact with the skin ("poison arrow frogs"); otherwise, I hope I've been of assistance. -H.S.

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: : Whilst in Kenya I was swimming in off the coast in a lagoon. Water depth about 9ft with some corals and grasses. A snake 4-5ft long with coloured bands (red and black) swam past to the surface (got some air?) then went down again I followed and it swam about a bit at one point looked in a hole in the sandy sea bed. Any ideas what it was the local fishermen told me it was very poisonous. : : Suggestions welcome : : Ta : :: dear David: I returned from Kenya Last Oct. (98). Wolfgang is correct. However, Laticauda colubrina does have various color morphs which do range to the "red " spectrum. Aside from this, the term "poisonous" is misused; "venomous" refers to an animal (or other organisms) which INTRODUCE their toxins via a spine, fang, or other method. The term POISONOUS is used for animals that introduce their toxins other ways: ingestion, or via contact with the skin ("poison arrow frogs"); otherwise, I hope I've been of assistance. -H.S.

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