YELLOW-BELLIED SEA SNAKE (Pelagic Sea Snake): Warning

 Diving deep into the ocean waters, Yellow-Bellied Sea Snake can stay underwater for about three hours.  She can do this because of her aquatic lung which stretches the length of her body.  The muscles of her lung keep pumping air through her body on her dives.

            Yellow-Bellied Sea Snake is the most recognized of Marine Snakes in the world.  One reason is her distinctive colors of bright yellow and blue-black.  These colors warn Sharks and others that She is venomous.  One bite from Yellow-Bellied Sea Snake will bring death, for her venom is the most powerful in the world.

            Also called Pelagic Sea Snake, Yellow-Bellied Sea Snake is at home in the open sea.  She is the most widespread of Snakes living in the Pacific and Indian Oceans.  Well-equipped for a marine life, Yellow-Bellied Sea Snake has glands to rid her body of salt under her tongue.  Moreover, She also gives birth at sea to live young.

            Drifting together on the oceans’ currents, thousands of Yellow-Bellied Sea Snakes congregate at sea forming a huge slick (raft).  No one is sure why They do this.  Some think that it is a way to attract Fish, who mistake the slick for seaweed.  This is probably one way that Yellow-Bellied Sea Snake and her friends hunt for Fish.

            With her bright colors and bold patterns, Yellow-Bellied Sea Snake warns others that death is near.  Heeding her messages, divers and others remain cautious around Her.  However unwary Fish mistake her slick for shelter, not noticing the danger.  Heed the warnings of Yellow-Bellied Sea Snake and be safe.  Do not be oblivious like some Fish, and get killed.

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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BLACK MAMBA: Reputation

The fastest snake in the world, Black Mamba speeds along clocking in about seven miles per hour (11 KPH).  However, She cannot sustain this high speed for long distances.  Black Mamba uses her speed mainly for escape from danger and not for hunting.

            Unlike other Elapids (Cobra-like Snakes) Black Mamba will live in trees.  Long and lithe, She easily climbs through low branches.  While in the trees, this ambush predator will wait for her prey to come by.

            Not a particularly robust Snake, Black Mamba will however not cede ground to anyone.  At the slightest sense of danger, this nervous Snake will defend Herself.  Rearing up when threatened, Black Mamba will flatten her neck and open her mouth.  (Her name “Black Mamba” comes from the black insides of her mouth.  Her body color usually is gunmetal grey or brown.)

            Black Mamba holds the distinction of being the most venomous Snake in Africa.  Many Africans call Black Mamba, the “Shadow” or “Kiss of Death”.  For them, this venomous Snake is vicious and shrewd.  Many attacks on people by Black Mamba occur in sugar cane fields.  She likes to sun Herself on top of the stalks, and is easily surprised by cane workers.

            Black Mamba inspires fear and respect in people.  What they do not know is that when She is frightened, She races to her hiding place.  Unfortunately for people, Black Mamba will attack anyone in her way.  If you let Her go about her business, you will remain safe.

            Black Mamba has an outsized reputation.  Although her bite is fatal, She is not the Snake who attacks the most people.  Various members of the Puff Adder Family are.  However more people will die when they are bitten by Black Mamba.  This major fact is imprinted in everyone’s mind.

            Black Mamba teaches to check your reputation.  Find out what is true and what is not.  See if your reputation is deserved or not.  Remember Black Mamba flees danger but will attack anybody who stands in her way.  From this comes her reputation as the deadliest Snake in Africa.

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EASTERN CORAL SNAKE (AMERICAN COBRA): Evading Confrontation

A Member of the Elapid Family, Eastern Coral Snake (Micrurus fulvius) has toxic venom that attacks the nervous system and kills the prey fast. Eastern Coral Snake's brilliant colors of yellow, red, and black act as a warning. If provoked, this Snake will bring his head in the coils of his body and raise his tail. Then Eastern Coral Snake makes a popping sound. Be mindful of the Snake's warning signs, allow Him to leave, and you will be better off.

This secretive, nocturnal Snake warns people by his bright colors and by his popping noise. The shy Eastern Coral Snake rarely bites people, preferring to avoid a confrontation. When walking where Eastern Coral Snake lives, people should make plenty of noise to allow the Snake to slip away unnoticed.

What Eastern Coral Snake teaches is how to avoid unnecessary confrontations by alerting people to your ability to harm them if provoked. Conversely, by paying attention to warning signs, you can evade confrontations.

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Science Notes:

1.       Coral Snakes are divided into two groups – the Old World Genus (Calliophis) and New World Genera.  The New World snakes are further sub-divided into the Leptomicrurus of the Andes, Micruroides of Arizona (USA), and the Micrurus.

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KING COBRA: Wise Use of Power

The largest venomous Snake in the world is King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) of India. Devout Hindus consider King Cobra to be a manifestation of Lord Shiva – the God of Destruction and Regeneration. In India, this Snake is revered and is a part of many sacred rites. Some consider King Cobra to be the reincarnation of important people called Nagas ('warrior ascetics').

King Cobra is capable of delivering more venom than any other snake except for Gaboon Viper. She attacks the nervous system, and usually kills within fifteen minutes. Mother King Cobra is most aggressive when guarding her eggs. Therefore, in India, if a nest is found near a village, the area will be evacuated.

Shy and solitary, King Cobra is usually reluctant to attack.  However during nesting season, She will confront everyone.  Mother King Cobra zealously guards her eggs.  Because She is apt to eat her young, Mother King Cobra will leave her nest.

King Cobra demonstrates the wise use of power.  Fierce and aggressive when nesting, She knows her limits and leaves her young.  The longest of the venomous Snakes, King Cobra eats other Snakes.  Remember to take care and learn your limits of using power.

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EGYPTIAN COBRA: Power of Protection

The most venomous of the Naja Cobras, Egyptian Cobra (Naja haje) is not afraid of people.  She will enter their houses and gardens at will.  Hunting at night, Egyptian Cobra swiftly searches for Birds, Lizards, and Toads to eat.

In ancient Egypt, this Cobra was a personification of hidden wisdom. Also, the Cobra on the Pharaoh’s crown is Egyptian Cobra, an emblem of royalty. This Cobra was also known as “Asp”, whose bite allegedly killed Queen Cleopatra.

The Cobra Goddess (Wadjet) was the protector and guardian of Lower Egypt.  Part of the Uraesus Crown was adorned with Wadjet who defended the Pharaoh.  The Cobra Goddess would protect the Pharaoh, when he wore this crown, since he represented Egypt. She spat fire at his enemies, immediately destroying them.

Egyptian Cobra offers us protection.  As She defended the Pharaoh, so will She defend us.  Remember though to treat Egyptian Cobra with respect unless you want to risk death.

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