Re: Unidentified sea snake - Kenya

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Posted by Brad Fernandes on April 18, 2001 at 20:45:54:

In Reply to: Re: Unidentified sea snake - Kenya posted by Wolfgang Wuster on February 27, 1999 at 11:03:36:

There is a species of coral snake; not the American version, that has a silvery/gray coloration on the body, red on the top of the head, and black bands across the body; there could be red bands also. If I am mistaken, I would suggest it to be a krait of some sort. I am not 100% sure about the region in which the coral snake I spoke of lives, but I wouldn't rule out Africa.

: : 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.

: No disrespect intended, but are you sure it was a snake rather than a moray or other eel?

: The only sea snake documented for East Africa is the yellow-bellied sea snake, Pelamis platurus. This is small (2-3'), and has a black back and yellow lower sides and belly. I can't really think of *any* sea snake that is red and black banded.

: Cheers,

: Wolfgang

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: There is a species of coral snake; not the American version, that has a silvery/gray coloration on the body, red on the top of the head, and black bands across the body; there could be red bands also. If I am mistaken, I would suggest it to be a krait of some sort. I am not 100% sure about the region in which the coral snake I spoke of lives, but I wouldn't rule out Africa. : : : 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. : : No disrespect intended, but are you sure it was a snake rather than a moray or other eel? : : The only sea snake documented for East Africa is the yellow-bellied sea snake, Pelamis platurus. This is small (2-3'), and has a black back and yellow lower sides and belly. I can't really think of *any* sea snake that is red and black banded. : : Cheers, : : Wolfgang

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