What is stokes sea snake?

The Stokes sea snake, also known as the Gulf sea snake, is a venomous marine snake that belongs to the family Elapidae. It is found in the shallow waters of the Indo-Pacific region, from the Gulf of Oman, through Southeast Asia, to northern Australia and Papua New Guinea.

The Stokes sea snake has a distinctive appearance with a long, slender body and small head. It can grow up to 1.2 meters in length. Its coloration can vary from yellow, brown, or green, with dark bands or spots along its body.

Like all sea snakes, the Stokes sea snake is highly adapted to a marine environment. It has a flattened tail that acts as a paddle for swimming and can remain submerged for up to 2 hours at a time. It feeds primarily on small fish and invertebrates.

The venom of the Stokes sea snake is strongly neurotoxic and can cause paralysis and respiratory failure in its prey. However, it is not considered a significant threat to humans as it is rarely encountered and its fangs are relatively small. Nonetheless, it is important to exercise caution when swimming in areas where sea snakes may be present.