Sea snake

/sˈiː snˈeɪk/

[noun]

Sea snake

[NOUN]

a highly venomous aquatic reptile found in warm tropical waters

What is a "sea snake"?

A sea snake is a venomous reptile that has adapted to live in the ocean, with a flattened body and paddle-like tail for efficient swimming. They are highly specialized for aquatic environments and are found in warm tropical waters around the world. Sea snakes possess powerful venom and are known for their ability to breathe air while spending most of their time underwater. They play important ecological roles in marine ecosystems but are also of medical interest due to the potency of their venom.

Examples

1. So the olive sea snake has evolved a really neat way of keeping an eye on its tail.

2. That may mean that 10% of all sea snakes sense light with their tails!

3. The olive sea snake spends its time swimming around the coral reefs of Northern Australia, Papua New Guinea, and New Caledonia using its paddle-like tail to propel itself through the water.

4. More than a mile out, I saw a venomous sea snake surface to breathe.