Aussies have been warned to keep their distance after a beachgoer made a deadly discovery on a picturesque shoreline this week.
A local was wandering along Marcoola Beach on the Sunshine Coast on Wednesday when their stroll was interrupted by an “unwell” sea snake lying motionless on the sand.
Concerned for its welfare, the Queensland resident called for help and erected a piece of wood near the highly venomous creature to alert others — a simple move that made the responding snake catcher’s job much easier.
After arriving at the beach, Heather with Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers 24/7 was able to easily locate the sea snake, which she discovered had “a chomp out of its tail and many barnacles stuck to it”.
“Barnacles sometimes stick to sea snakes as they like a hard surface settle one whilst being able to filter-feed while the snake swims through the water,” she told Yahoo News. “The barnacles can slow snakes down and create more weight if there are too many.”
The elegant sea snake had ‘a chomp out of its tail and many barnacles stuck to it’. Source: Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers 24/7
Deadly discovery on beach prompts stern warning
The elegant sea snake (Hydrophis elegans) — a very venomous species also found in Western Australia and the Northern Territory — was transported to the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital where it is currently undergoing treatment.
“The snake should be able to heal and get back out into the ocean soon,” Heather said. However, anyone who comes across a sick sea snake is urged not to lend them a helping hand.
“If any members of the public stumble upon a sea snake that is washed ashore, they must not touch it or put it back in the water,” Heather warned.
“Sea snakes will only beach themselves if they are sick, injured or extremely exhausted, so they need medical attention. It is best for someone to stay nearby the snake to keep an eye on it until a rescue team or snake catcher has arrived.”
If they’re unable to hang around, it is recommended the person place a stick in the ground and send snake catchers a pin as a marker.
Aussies praise beachgoer’s efforts to help sea snake
The beachgoer’s efforts to quickly alert the snake catcher to the injured animal have been praised by Aussies online. “Something so simple made a massive impact on what could have been a nightmare of a job,” one person said, referring to the protruding wood.
Others shared their own close calls with the deadly creatures. “Don’t touch it even if you think it’s dead. You get a nasty shock! Like I did a few years ago,” another commented.
“The amount of people that pick them up is crazy,” someone else said.
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