Wiggle, Wiggle, Wiggle - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

jorluivil · 10-17-2015, 08:45 AM

‘Incredibly Venomous’ Yellow-Bellied Sea Snake Seen in California for 1st Time in 30 Years

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">An “exotic, incredibly venomous” sea snake has been spotted along
the Southern California coast, and a local environmental group said
the creature was brought to shore courtesy of El Niño.

This yellow-bellied sea snake was seen in the Oxnard area on Oct. 15, 2015. (Credit: Anna Iker)

At least one yellow-bellied sea snake, which lives its entire life in the ocean, was recently spotted at
Silver Strand Beach near Oxnard.
The reptile typically lives in warmer tropical waters, and its appearance is probably a harbinger of El Niño,
the cyclical weather phenomenon connected to warmer sea-surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean,
according to Santa Monica-based Heal the Bay
The snake sighting was highlighted the nonprofit environmental advocacy group in a blog post on Friday.
"The Yellow-bellied Sea Snake has some of the most poisonous venom in the world, and is a descendant
from Asian cobras and Australian tiger snakes," stated the post by Heal the Bay’s senior coastal policy
manager, Dana Murray.

It’s the first time since the early 1980s that the black-and-yellow snake has been seen in California,
according to Heal the Bay. The last yellow-bellied sea snake sighted was also during an El Niño phase.
Two sightings were reported in Oxnard, but it wasn’t clear if they were of the same snake, Murray said
in an email.
“No need to panic,” the organization said on its Facebook page, calling the snake "exotic" and "incredibly
venomous."
Anna Iker said she spotted a snake on Silver Strand Beach near Oxnard on Thursday. It was washed back
out to sea, she said.

This yellow-bellied sea snake was seen in the Oxnard area Oct. 16, 2015. (Credit: Robert Forbes)

Robert Forbes also spotted a yellow-bellied sea snake, possible the same one, on the same beach. He
found it about 9 a.m. Friday, he said, and called the state wildlife department. The snake had died by
the time officials arrived hours later, Forbes said.
The snake was being taken to the Museum of Natural History of Los Angeles, Forbes said.
Yellow-bellied sea snakes are extremely venomous and members of the public are advised not to touch
them.
They can swim backward and forward and can stay underwater for up to three hours, according to the
website CaliforniaHerps.com.
If you spot one, Heal the Bay requests you take photos, note the exact location, and report the sighting
to iNaturalist and Herp Mapper.

theluckypig · 10-17-2015, 08:53 AM

i wonder if you fly-lined one...

Iceman · 10-17-2015, 09:21 AM

Something fun to think about while bobbing around in the dark looking for lobsters or WSB

skrilla · 10-17-2015, 09:42 AM

Can you eat it?

Dail14 · 10-17-2015, 12:39 PM

Be aware that its unlikely that there is any antivenom for this species in the state. Since it is rear fanged and has very small fangs the only way it would be able to bite is if you were handling it.

jorluivil · 10-17-2015, 12:55 PM

I'm sure Yani can make some kind of 5 star dinner with this

Deamon · 10-17-2015, 12:57 PM

WHAT THE HELL? I was told back in July by the Natural History Museum that I had spotted the first yellow sea snake in California in 30 years...BASTARDS!!!

http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/s...ad.php?t=26383

Jim

10-17-2015, 08:45 AM	#1
jorluivil Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 6,856	Wiggle, Wiggle, Wiggle ‘Incredibly Venomous’ Yellow-Bellied Sea Snake Seen in California for 1st Time in 30 Years "> ">An “exotic, incredibly venomous” sea snake has been spotted along the Southern California coast, and a local environmental group said the creature was brought to shore courtesy of El Niño. This yellow-bellied sea snake was seen in the Oxnard area on Oct. 15, 2015. (Credit: Anna Iker) At least one yellow-bellied sea snake, which lives its entire life in the ocean, was recently spotted at Silver Strand Beach near Oxnard. The reptile typically lives in warmer tropical waters, and its appearance is probably a harbinger of El Niño, the cyclical weather phenomenon connected to warmer sea-surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean, according to Santa Monica-based Heal the Bay The snake sighting was highlighted the nonprofit environmental advocacy group in a blog post on Friday. "The Yellow-bellied Sea Snake has some of the most poisonous venom in the world, and is a descendant from Asian cobras and Australian tiger snakes," stated the post by Heal the Bay’s senior coastal policy manager, Dana Murray. It’s the first time since the early 1980s that the black-and-yellow snake has been seen in California, according to Heal the Bay. The last yellow-bellied sea snake sighted was also during an El Niño phase. Two sightings were reported in Oxnard, but it wasn’t clear if they were of the same snake, Murray said in an email. “No need to panic,” the organization said on its Facebook page, calling the snake "exotic" and "incredibly venomous." Anna Iker said she spotted a snake on Silver Strand Beach near Oxnard on Thursday. It was washed back out to sea, she said. This yellow-bellied sea snake was seen in the Oxnard area Oct. 16, 2015. (Credit: Robert Forbes) Robert Forbes also spotted a yellow-bellied sea snake, possible the same one, on the same beach. He found it about 9 a.m. Friday, he said, and called the state wildlife department. The snake had died by the time officials arrived hours later, Forbes said. The snake was being taken to the Museum of Natural History of Los Angeles, Forbes said. Yellow-bellied sea snakes are extremely venomous and members of the public are advised not to touch them. They can swim backward and forward and can stay underwater for up to three hours, according to the website CaliforniaHerps.com. If you spot one, Heal the Bay requests you take photos, note the exact location, and report the sighting to iNaturalist and Herp Mapper. __________________ www.facebook.com/Teamsewer Last edited by jorluivil; 10-17-2015 at 08:50 AM.

10-17-2015, 09:21 AM	#3
Iceman Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: 1-2 miles off the point Posts: 6,948	Something fun to think about while bobbing around in the dark looking for lobsters or WSB __________________

10-17-2015, 09:42 AM	#4
skrilla Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 664	Can you eat it? __________________ Urban Camo Trident 13

10-17-2015, 12:55 PM	#6
jorluivil Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 6,856	I'm sure Yani can make some kind of 5 star dinner with this __________________ www.facebook.com/Teamsewer

10-17-2015, 08:53 AM	#2
theluckypig Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: San Pedro Posts: 694	i wonder if you fly-lined one...

10-17-2015, 12:39 PM	#5
Dail14 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 123	Be aware that its unlikely that there is any antivenom for this species in the state. Since it is rear fanged and has very small fangs the only way it would be able to bite is if you were handling it.

10-17-2015, 12:57 PM	#7
Deamon Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 1,972	WHAT THE HELL? I was told back in July by the Natural History Museum that I had spotted the first yellow sea snake in California in 30 years...BASTARDS!!! http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/s...ad.php?t=26383 Jim