‘Uncommon’ Surge in Deadly Sea Snake Sightings Puts Coast on Alert

Deadly sea snakes have been washing up on the coast of Australia more frequently than usual.

The yellow-bellied sea snakes were spotted along the New South Wales coast repeatedly over the last week. These snakes are incredibly venomous—their bite can cause paralysis, renal failure and even death if not treated immediately.

So far, around seven of these snakes have been sighted from Jervis Bay down to the town of Eden, Yahoo News Australia reported. Most of the beaches where the sightings occurred are popular with locals and tourists.

The reason for the uptick in sightings is not yet known, but it could be due to strong winds in the area, wildlife veterinary nurse Belinda Donovan told the outlet. While the number of snakes seen lately is “uncommon,” it’s not unusual for wildlife to become stranded ashore, especially if severe weather has displaced them from their usual habitat.

It would not be the first time wildlife became displaced due to adverse weather in Australia. Severe weather is often followed by wildlife showing up in strange places. In January, the flooding of the Murray River in Australia led to an increase in snake encounters across the country.

Donovan, who traveled to several beaches to observe the reptiles, told Yahoo News Australia that when these critters wash ashore, they are usually “exhausted” as they have been “struggling out in the open ocean.”

Donovan said that most of these snakes have been injured or unhealthy when they have washed ashore.

The good news is that yellow-bellied sea snakes are usually only ever spotted when they wash ashore, and even when they do, they are distinguishable by their yellow and black markings. This means they are easy to spot and keep a safe distance from.

It is imperative that beachgoers who spot a yellow-bellied sea snake stay away. Snakes tend to only bite people if they are directly provoked and feel threatened. Those who have washed ashore due to illness or injury may feel more vulnerable and therefore be more likely to attack.

“Number one is keep dogs and children away from the snake. That obviously ensures the safety of everybody else, but also the safety of the snake,” Donovan said.

She said that often, people try to return the reptiles back to the ocean. While it is “well-intentioned,” this can be incredibly dangerous. This will also often end in death for the snake, as picking them up in the wrong way can break their spine.

Beachgoers are warned to keep an eye out for the deadly snakes while the spike in strandings continues.