The olive sea snake (Aipysurus laevis), a member of the Aipysurus genus, inhabits the warm waters of the Indo-Pacific region. This venomous reptile has evolved a suite of adaptations for life in the marine environment. Other names associated with the olive sea snake are golden sea snake and olive-brown sea snake.
Its streamlined body facilitates efficient movement through the water, while its potent venom aids in prey capture. As a denizen of coral reefs and coastal habitats, the olive sea snake plays a role in the intricate marine ecosystem. Read on to learn more about this stealthy serpent.
Appearance
Like its namesake, the olive sea snake has distinctive brownish, olive, and purple smooth scales. The snake is not a small reptile by any means, as it can reach lengths of up to 2 metres, and most commonly 1 meter.
The venom of the olive sea snake is some of the most powerful and effective of all sea snakes.
The potent venom stops its prey in its tracks with its bites. The venom is so strong that it targets its prey’s nerves and paralyzes them. The long sea snake has a paddle at the end of its body that helps propel itself through the water.
The head is short and wide with small eyes. The nostrils are on top of the snout and can be closed with valves. The body is heavy and slightly compressed from side to side, and the tail is flat and oarlike. Body coloration and pattern vary among individuals. The head is usually dark brown.
Did you know…
All along their entire body, their olive skin contains remarkable photoreceptors. This development allows them to sense when they are completely hidden from light and thus hidden from view. This is vital in being such effective predators and also in staying away from potential attacks from larger animals.
Habitat
The olive sea snake avoids the open water, opting for coral reefs and rocky, small cave-like crevices to occupy.
They occupy the Great Barrier Reef, and other protected reef areas, in the Coral Sea around regions such as Australia and Papua New Guinea. In fact, they are considered to be one of the most common species of sea snakes found in the coral reefs of Australia.
Typically, olive sea snakes exist in tropical shallows of around ten to forty meters in depth but have been known to venture as far as seventy meters below sea level.
Diet
Like many sea and land snakes, the olive sea snake is carnivorous. It hunts and feeds on crustaceans, crabs, fish, fish eggs, eels, and other marine species. It typically searches inside crevices and holes in reefs for potential food.
Reproduction
Like many species on earth, the olive sea snake females differ from the males in their behaviors and reproductive cycles. For example, females take around their fifth year to reach sexual maturity, whereas males only take three years.
Scuba divers have been known to get caught up in the mating ritual. Male sea snakes have been known to mistake divers for female sea snakes and have approached them in open water. Their courtship consists of a large gathering of male sea snakes all battling it out to win the approval of one female partner.
The eggs get fertilized internally, and, like humans, it takes nine months for the egg to hatch. Although there have been incidents of olive sea snakes giving birth to up to eleven young, on average, a female can only manage around five.
Despite a small number of external threats, the entire life cycle of the olive sea snake is only around fifteen years.
Threats
The habitat that we find the olive sea snake in doesn’t have many threats to contend with. It is only reef sharks, larger sharks, and predatory birds, such as osprey, that target the snake.
Like many modern ocean animals, humans have a part to play when it comes to causing potential harm.
With the increased number of scuba divers exploring reefs and coral habitats, there is always a risk of disturbance or contamination, which can contribute to habitat loss. However, this is a minuscule threat concerning fishing and prawn trawls. Prawn trawling is where vast fishing nets geared towards prawns and other crustaceans are pushed across the sea floor and capture everything in their path. It is said that around 50% of olive sea snakes that get caught in these nets are killed.
Pollution and climate change also have a knock-on effect and can lead to more habitat loss.
7 More Good Facts about the Olive Sea Snake
- They are one of the most commonly found species of sea snake in the Great Barrier Reef.
- Often hunts for prey at night, taking advantage of darkness.
- They are capable of remaining underwater for extended periods to search for food or avoid danger.
- They must regularly come to surface to breathe air, as they possesses lungs.
- While adapted for aquatic life, they can move awkwardly on land for short distances.
- They have been known to confuse divers for females during mating season.
- They rarely venture into open waters unless they are looking for a mate.
FAQs
Are olive sea snakes aggressive?
Yes, they are considered to be very aggressive when hunting. However, they rarely show aggression toward humans and larger animals. But don’t test this out, as if provoked they can be very aggressive.
Are olive sea snakes endangered?
Generally, the olive sea snake is an animal of ‘Least Concern’ on the IUCN Red List. Although the population is thought to have decreased slightly, they are far from endangered.
How do these snakes differ from the land snakes?
Unlike land snakes that often lay eggs, most sea snakes give birth to live young, eliminating the need to venture ashore. Their ability to hold their breath for extended periods allows for underwater hunting, and their potent venom, often containing neurotoxins, helps them quickly subdue fast-moving fish prey. Some species even absorb oxygen through their skin, supplementing their lung respiration.
Do olive sea snakes have any unusual hunting strategies?
Yes, they sometimes exhibit a fascinating behavior called “cooperative hunting.” They have been observed working together in small groups to corral and trap schools of fish, increasing their chances of a successful catch. This coordinated effort demonstrates a level of social behavior and hunting intelligence within the species.
Can they sense heat?
These snakes possess specialized heat-sensing pits on their faces. These pits allow them to detect the body heat of warm-blooded prey, such as fish, even in low-light conditions.
