Deadly marine snake found alive on Manly beach
A deadly sea snake with large fangs and incurable venom has washed-up on a Manly beach thousands of kilometres from the tropical waters where it usually resides.
The 1.5m Stokes' sea snake was discovered alive on the shoreline by a local resident and is being monitored at the Manly Sea Life Sanctuary.
There is no known anti-venom for the reptile that is among the largest of its kind and surfaces to breathe after spending between 30 minutes to two hours underwater.
The snake typically can be found in tropical waters off the coast of the Northern Territory, Western Australia and Queensland.
“You have to be very lucky to survive,” Manly Sea Life Sanctuary aquarist Sharnie Connell of the snake’s bite.
“They are highly venomous and people should not approach or touch them.
“If they should ever find one, they should call the relevant authorities.”
The predators eat fish and are said to have teeth large enough to pierce a wetsuit.
Morning news break – November 3
