SEA SNAKE FAMILES: Death

The two families of Sea Snakes live in the warm seas of the Indian and Pacific Oceans.  Built for marine life, Sea Snakes have rounded bodies and flat tails.  Furthermore as They swim, small flaps cover their noses to keep the sea water out.

            The two families of Sea Snakes differ in their need for land.  The Hydrophiinae like the Yellow-Bellied Sea Snake spend their entire lives at sea.  They have glands under their tongues to discharge salt.  Also, the powerful lung of these Snakes allows Them to dive deeply, and stay underwater for a long time.  Great numbers of these Sea Snakes can be found floating out in the open ocean in a giant raft (“slick”).

            Meanwhile, the Laticaudinae such as Sea Kraits lay their eggs in tidal caves near the shore.  Also, They prefer basking on rocks and drinking fresh water.  Living in the shallow waters of coral reefs, Sea Kraits have fringes on their flat tails to attract Fish.  In addition, They have scales on their bodies for crawling on land.

            What Sea Snakes are notorious for is their venom.  Hunting in the crevices of coral reefs, Sea Kraits strike at a tasty Eel.  The Snake’s venom kills instantly, thus preventing the victim from escaping.  However, the venom of Sea Snakes is so lethal that one drop can kill up to ten people.  For that reason, Scuba divers are usually cautious around these Snakes.  Meanwhile, local coastal people are wary of stepping on Sea Kraits resting in the shallows.

            Understanding death is what Sea Snakes teach.  Curious or shy or aggressive, these Snakes are deliverers of death.  (Death from Them is sudden and quick.)  Sea Snakes guide us to respect, acknowledge, and accept death.  Through Sea Snakes, we begin to know death.  We may feel terror, awe, or respect, but we do not turn away.  Using caution, we do not tempt fate but remain prudent.  Sea Snakes help us with acknowledging death.

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