The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1898-09-09
DEADLY SEA SNAKES.
VILE REPTILES THAT INFEST THE WA
TIERS OF THE PHILIPPINES.


Not only do various reptiles and other
queer creatures abound in the forests
and swamps of he Philippines, but the
surrounding water of these interesting
islands team with verita bic sea serpents.
These strange creatures, which pass
their entire existence in the water, pos
sess deadly fangs. They are a great
menace to the fishermen, who are con-
stantly exposed to their attacks.
Technically speaking, science has
named the group the Hydrophide.
They differ from the terrestrial snakes
only in the possession Of a fat, paddle
like tail. These reptiles in2abit the
tropical seas of the old world and occa-
sionally attain length of 8 feet. DR..
Rudolph Weber, professor of drawing
in Princeton university, observed large
numbers of these creatures while on a
steamer bound for Sumatra. DR.. Weber
was in charge Of scientific expedition
and naturally took special 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 etse could reach.
They kept upon the surface, and several
distinct species were recognized among
them.
During calm weather these reptiles
may be seen summing themselves upon
the surface of the sea, remaining mo-
tiOnless except for a slight undulation
caused by the movement of the water
When alarmed, the agile reptiles dive
like arrows, leaving a train of bubbles
behind them. Some species are extreme
ly brilliant in coloration, being bright
yellow, banded with black, while others
are tinted with delicate shades of green.
The food of sea snakes consists entire
ly Of fishes. Frequently fishes armed
with long sharp spines fall victims TO
their appetites. Among these are the
apogOus and siluroids, which are fur
nished with spines three and five inches
long. But these do not embarrasS the
voracious reptile in the least. The vic
tim is first killed by the snakes poison,
after which it is swallowed head first.
The spines, naturally pointing toward
the tail of the victim, and being relaxed
In death, are compressed against the
body of the fish as deglutitiOn proceeds
While in search Of their prey, sea
snakes sometimes venture a short dis
tance up the mouth of large rivers.
DR.. Weber records an instance where
he was fishing in one Of the rivers on
the east coast Of Sumatra. He was using
a draguet and had cornered a number
Of medium sized fish. AS the net was
being brought in, two large sea snakes
suddenly made their appearance inside.
They showed no signs Of uneasiness at
capture, but were hurriedly gObbling
down the cornered fishes. Nor did they
cease operations until the last fish had
disappeared, when the formidable crea-
lures made their escape.
Being air breatners, the sea snakes
lead a similar existence to the whale.
Scientists have expressed much interest
as to how long they can remain under
water. Professor R. p. Whitfield Of the
American Museum Of Natural History,
while dragging for coraIs, saw a large
sea snake lying motionless among some
coral gr0wths, some eight feet below
the surface. II showed no signs Of fear
and remained in the same position for
half an hour The venom Of these rep
tiles is even more deadly than that of
the cobra. The fangs are very short,
and consequently do not penetrate so
deep as the faugs Of most serpents, but
only a scratch from them is necessary
to produce serious results. Owing to
their great shyness accidents are very
rare. When cornered, they snap upon a
victim. As the eyes are adapted only
for use in the water they strike blindly
when brought into the air, although
living for days when removed from
their native element.
Many specimens hauled up in fisher
mems nets have been sent TO geological
gardens. The London gardens even
went so far as to build a special tank
for their accommodation. But these
captured specimns either die en- route
or a short time after being placed in
captivity. Seeking a dark corner of
their tank, they refuse all food and ul-
timately starve to death. Around the
numerous volcanic islands Of the Malay
an archipelago these reptiles are par
ticularly numerous. Frequent eruptions
occur among these islands, which are
hardly more than the body of the vol
cano.
During the time of an eruption the
few people residing near by take to the
water in their boats to escape the rain
of ashes and mud.
1t is generally a case of jumping
from the crying pan into the fire, how