The daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Ind. Ter. [Okla.]) 1898-1902, 1898-11-07
PHILIPPINE SEA SNAKES.
Formidable Creatures, More Deadly
Than the Cobra, Which Are Great
" Feared by Fishermen.


Not only do various reptiles and
other queer creatures abound in the
forests and swamps of the Philip
pines, but the surrounding water of
these interesting islands teem with
veritable sea serpents. These strange
creatures, which pass their entire ex-
istence In the water, possess deadly
fangs. They are a great menace to
the fishermen, who are constantly ex-
posed to their attacks.
Technically speaking, science has
named the group they constitute the
Hydrophidae. They differ from the
terrestrial snakes only in the pos
session of fiat, paddle-like tall These
reptiles inhabit the tropical seas of
the old world, and occasionally attain
length of eight feet. DR.. Rudolph
Weber, professor of drawing In Prince
ton university, observed large num-
bers of these creatures while on
steamer bound for Sumatra. DIR. Web
er was in charge of scientific ex-
pedition, and naturally took especial
notice of them. He says that when
the vessel was some so miles Off the
coast myriads of sea snakes could be
seen swimming about as far as the
eye could reach. They kept upon the
surface, and several distinct species
were recognized among them. Dur
ing calm weather these reptiles may
be seen sunniDy themselves upon the
surface of the sea, remaining mo-
tionless except for a slight undula-
tion caused by the movement OF the
water. When alarmed, the agile rep
tiles dive like arrows, leaving train
OF bubbles behind them. Some spe-
cies are extremely brilliant in colora-
tion, being bright yellow, banded with
black. while others are tinted with
delicate shades of green.
The food Of sea snakes consists en-
tirely OF fishes. Frequently fishes
armed with long sharp spines fall vic
Tins to their appetites, Among these
are the apogous and siluroids, which /
are furnished with spines three and
five inches long. But these do not I
embarrass the voracious reptiles in the
least. The victim is first killed by the
snakes poison, after which il is swal-
lowed head first. The spines, naturally
pointing toward the tail of the victim,
and being relaxed in death, are COM
pressed against the body OF the fish
as deglutition proceeds. While In
search OF their prey, sea snakes some
times venture short distance up
the mouth of large rivers. DR.. Web
er records an instance where he
was fishing in one Of the rivers on
the east coast OF Sumatra. He was
using a drag net, and had cornered
a number Of medium-sized fish. As
the net was being brought in, two
large sea snakes suddenly made their
inside. They showed no
signs OF uneasiness at capture, but
were hurriedly gobbIing down the cor
nered fishes. Nor did they cease OPP
erations until the last fish had disap-
peared, when the formidable creatures
made their escape.
Being air breathers, the sea snakes
lead similar existence to the whale.
Scientists have expressed much in
terest as to how long they can re- Il,
main under water. Prof. r. r. WIN Held |I
Of The American museum OF natural
history, while dragging for corals, saw
! large sea snake lying motionless
among some coral growths some
eight feet below the surface. It'll
showed no signs Of fear. and remained 4
n the same position for half an hour. /
rhe venom Of these reptiles is even I
more deadly than that of the cobra. a
he fangs are very short. and conse-l I
Iuently do not penetrate so deep "a 4
he fangs Of most serpents, but only a =
Hratch from them is necessary to pro- &
luce serious results. Owing 10 their d
'reat shyness accidents are very rare. Il
When corheFed they snsp and bite :
icioualy, retaining their hold upon q !