Evening journal., 1898-11-15
PHILIPPINE SEA SNAKES.
Formidable Creatures, More Deadly
Than the Cobra, Witch Arc Great
ly Feored by Fishermen.


Iy Fesred 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 TEEN with
veritable sea serpents. These strange
creatures, which pass their entire ex
istence in the water, possess deadly
fangs. They are 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 o fiat, paddle-like tail. These
reptiles inhabit the tropical seas of
the old world, and occasionally attain
a length OF eight feet. DR.. Rudolph
Weber, professor Of drawing in Prince
ton university, observed large mum
bers of these creatures while on
steamer bound for Sumatra. DR.. Web.
er was in charge Of scientific ex.
petition, and naturally took especial
notice of them. He says that when
the vessel was some 80 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 summing themselves upon the
surface OF the sea, remaining mo-
tionless except for slight undula.
ton caused by the movement OF the
water. When alarmed, the agile rep
tiles dive like arrows, leaving a train
of bubbles behind them. Some spe-
cies are extremely brilliant in colora-
ton, 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 appetltes. Among these
are the apogous and siluroids, which
are furnished with spines three and
five inches long. But these do not
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 a short distance mp
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. lie was
using a drag net, and had cornerec
a number of medium-sized fish. Az
the net was being brought in, two
large sea snakes suddenly made theii
appearance inside. They showed n,
signs Of uneasiness at capture. bu
were hurriedly gobbling down the cor
nered fishes. Nor did they cease op
erations until the last fish had disap
peared, when the formidable creatures
made their escape.
Being air breathers, the sea snakes
lead 4 similar existence to the whale
Scientists have expressed much in.
terest as TO how long they can re
main under water. Prof. r. =. Whitfield
Of the American museum Of natura
history, while dragging for corals. saw
large sea snake lying motionlesi
among some coral growths SOME
eight feet below the surface i
showed TO signs of fear, and remained
in the same position for half an hour
The venom of these reptiles "a ever
more deadly than that Of the cobra
The fangs are very short, and conse
: quently do not penetrate so deep a.
, the fangs of most serpents. but only
scratch from them Is necessary TO pro
duce serious results. Owing TO thei
great shyness accidents are very rare
When cornered they snap and Bit
, yiciously, retaining their hold upon
. victim. AS the eyes are adapted onl,
for use in water, they strike blind
ly when brought into the air. although
living for days when removed iron
their native element.
7 When about TO lay their eggs, thes
I serpents approach the shore. TIL
/. eggs are laid above high water mari
and left TO hatch by the heat Of tn
! sun. Many creatures prey upon tn
. young reptiles. Among their enemie
are sharks and other large fishes, Will
the adults, in spite of their death
dealing fangs, fall victims TO sea eagle
and large gulls. After the great ty
! phoons, which are common in tn
Philippines and their vicinity, many o
these creatures may be found alont
! the beach, where they have been cas-
up during the storm and killed by tn
. violent pounding Of the waves.-N. y
> Times.
e Alarm Clock That Wells.