Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1898-09-30
DEADLY SEA SNAKES.
VILE REPTILES THAT INFEST THE
WATERS OF THE PHILIPPINES.

The Venom of These Serpcnts is
More Fatal Than That of the
Cobra and a Mere Scratch From
Their Fangs Will Produce Ser
iOus 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 teen with veritable
sea serpents. These strange creatures,
which pass their entire existence i'll
the water, possess deadly fangs. They
are great menace to the fishermen,
who are constantly exposed to their
attacks.
Technically speaking, science has
named the group the Hydrophide.
They differ from the terrestrial snakes
only in the possession of flat, pad
dlelike tail. These reptiles inhabit
the tropical sea of the old world and
occasionally attain length of 8 feet.
DIR. Rudolph Weber, professor of draw
in Princeton university, observed large
numbers of these creatures while on q
steamer bound for Samatra. DIR.
Weber was in charge of a scientific ex-
petition 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 sur
face, 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 ex-
tremely brilliant in coloration, 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
embarrass the voracious reptile in the
least. The victim is first killed by the
snakes poison, after which it is swal-
lowed head first. The spines, natural
ly pointing toward the tail of the VIC
tim, and being relaxed in death, are
compressed against the body of the
fish as deglutition proceeds. While in
search of their prey, sea snakes some
times venture a short distance up the
mouth Of large rivers.
DIR. 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 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 ut capture, but
were hurriedly gobbliny down the
cornered fishes. Nor did they cease
operations until the last fish had dis
appealed, when the formidable crea-
lures made their escape.
Being air-breathers, the sea snakes
lead a similar existence to the whale.
Scientists have expressed much in
terest as to how they can remain
under water. Professor r. 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 the surface. 1t showed no
signs of fear and remained in the same
position for half an hour. The venom
of these reptiles 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 a 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.
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 accommodation. But these
captured specimens either die en-
route or short time after being placed
in captivity. Seeking dark corner Of
their tank, they refuse all food and
ultimately starve to death. Around
the numerous volcanic islands of the
Malayan archipelago these reptiles are
particularly numerous. Frequent
eruptions occur among these islands,
which are hardly more than the body
of the volcano.
Dnring the time of an eruption the
few people residing near by take to
the water in their boats to escape the