Ben Cropp - Sea snakes of the marion reef
The sea snake, serpent of the sea, is a highly venomous creature, its venom is ten times more potent than the cobra. Many native fishermen die from sea snake bites in the islands north of Australia, but, fatalities are rare in Australia. The sea snake does give its victim a chance to survive. It mouths its prey before it bites. The venom is slow to take effect, but, without treatment it causes flaccid paralysis – the victim simply goes to sleep and dies. Marion Reef is a coral atoll in the Coral Sea, 200 miles off the central Queensland coast, and home to a variety of sea snake species. Its blue waters are unbelievably clear – 50 metres visibility is the norm. The corals are luxuriant, sharks present, and its coral islands are like emeralds in a rainbow sea. Its’ a Garden of Eden with its own special serpent. Marine scientists accompany Ben Cropp on his vessel “Freedom” to Marion Reef. A great deal is yet to be learnt about the behavior of sea snakes.