Sea snakes

At least 32 species of sea snake have been recorded in northern Australian waters. Some species are also found in the southern waters off Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia. All sea snakes discovered so far are venomous. Sea snakes are readily identified by their flattened tails and valvular nostrils. They are of course excellent swimmers and divers and feed on fish and eels. The young are born alive at sea, except for those of the banded sea krait (Laticauda colubrina), which comes ashore to lay its eggs. Sea snakes shed their skins much more frequently than land snakes; as often as every two weeks.

Rhabdomyolysis is a major feature of sea snake envenomation. This results in muscle pain, tenderness and sometimes spasm. Myoglobinuria develops after 3-6 hours. The bite itself is not particularly painful and may go unnoticed. This distinguishes it from envenomation by stinging fishes or jellyfish, both of which usually cause immediate and often excruciating pain. Envenomation may be treated with sea snake antivenom (based on the venom of the beaked sea snake, Enhydrina schistosa) or tiger snake antivenom. In the case of the latter, 2 ampoules should be given initially.