Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-08-31
DEADLY SEA SNAKES.
VILE REPTILES THAT INFEsT THE WA
TIERS OF THE PHILIPPINES.
The Venom of These serpents Is More
Fatal Than That of the Cobra and n
Mere Scratch From Their Fangs VIII
Produce Serious Results.

Fatal Than That of the Cobra and n
Mere Scratch From Their Fangs Will
Produce Serious Results.
Not only do various reptiles and other
| queer creatures abound IN the forests
and swamps of the Philippines, but the
surrounding water of these interesting
| islands team with veritable 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 fat, paddle
like tail. These reptiles inhabit the
tropical seas of the old world and occa-
sionally attain length of s feet. DIR.
Rudolph Weber, professor of drawing
in Princeton university, observed large
numbers of these creatures while ON a
steamer bound for Sumatra. DIR. 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 eye 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 slight undulation
caused by the movement OF the water.
When alarmed, the agile reptiles dive
like arrows, leaving 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 ie 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
su1keS SOIneUllll6S venture u S0OTG us
lance 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
q dragnet 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
I,,,& IL,
down the cornered fishes. Nor lid they
cease operations until the last fish had
disappeared, when the formidable crea-
lures made their escape.
Being air breathers, the sea snakes
lead 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 corals, saw a large
sea snake lying motionless among some
coral growths, some eight feet below
the surface. 1t 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 fangs of most serpents, but |
only scratch from them is necessary
to produce serious results. Owing to |
their great shyness accidents are very |
rare. When cornered, they snap upon |
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.
hor in ficl1nr /
mems nets have been sent to geological |
gardens. The London gardens even |
went so far as to build special tank |
for their accommodation. But these /
captured specimns either die en- route /
or 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 frying pan into the fire, how
ever. At such times the sea becomes
uncomfortabiy warm from its CLOSE
proximity to the burning mountain,
and the sea snakes swim wildly about
for escape, They endeavor TO climb
over the gunwales of the refugees
boats, while they Irvine their bodies III
great masses about the forward chains.
When about to lay their eggs, these
serpents approach the shore. The eggs
arc laid above high water mark and
left to hatch by the heat of the sun
Many creatures prey upon the young
reptiles. Among their enemies are
sharks and other large fishes, while the
nd..iA- IN, lrito IS &ho:- doofh dealing