Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1898-09-15
DEADLY SEA SNAKES.
VILE REPTILES THAT lNFEST THE WA
TIERS OF THE PHILIPPINES.


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 n 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 inhabjt the
tropical seas of the old world and occa-
sionally attain length Of s feet. DR..
Rudolph Weber, professor of drawing
in Princeton university, observed largo
numbers of these creatures while on
steamer bound for Sumatra DR.. Weber
was in charge of o scientific expedition
and naturally took special notice of
them. He says that when the vessel was
some 80 miles off tho coast myriads of
sea snakes could DO seen swimming
about as far as the eye could reach
They kept upon the surface, and several
distinct speGias 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 tho 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 aSs 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 us deglutition proceeds.
While in search Of their prey, sea
snakes sometimes venture short dis
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
dragnet and had cornered 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 tho last fish bad
disappeared, when the formidable crea-
! lures made their escape
Being air breathers, the sea snakes
| lead similar existence 30 the whale
! Scientists have expressed much interest
as to how long they can remain under
water Professor II. p. Whitfield 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
I 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 moro deadly than that of
! the cobra. The fangs are very short,
and consequently do not penetrate SO
deep as the fangs of most sGrpents, but
only scratch from them is necessary
to produce serious results. Owing TO
their great sh-:ess accidents are very
rare When cornered, they snap upon Il
victim. AS the eyes are adapted only
for use il 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 special tank
for their accomm odation. But these
captured specimns either die EN- route
or short time after being placed in
captivity. Seeking 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 moro than the body of the vol
cano.
During tho 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 case of jumping
from the frying pan into the fire, how
ever At such times the sea becomes
uncomfortably warm from it's 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 in
great masses about the forward chains.
When about to lay their eggs, these
serpents approach the shore. The eggs
are 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
| T.. lel 10 he