Harmless mix-up: sea snakes in love intoxication

Sea snakes are said to have the strongest nerve toxin. A bite usually ends fatally. As a rule, however, these reptiles - like their fellow species living on land - are rather shy animals that quickly flee unless they feel threatened. The olive-green sea snake (

) is

an exception

. This species, native to Australia, Indonesia and New Guinea, does not seem to be shy. Divers and snorkelers report time and again that they were chased by such a reef dweller up to two meters long, who apparently appeared out of nowhere.

Understandable that one can panic there. But every attempt to escape was in vain, according to eyewitness reports. But instead of extending their fangs and biting them, the snakes, strangely enough, only licked their long tongues and then swam away peacefully. Australian marine researchers led by Richard Shine from Macquarie University in North Ryde have followed up on reports of the strange behavior of the olive-green sea snake and evaluated numerous statements from divers. The result that they have now published in the

is surprising: Apparently the puzzling behavior of the olive-green sea snake that can be observed during the mating season is based on an error.

Accordingly, the male and female snakes are only looking for one partner - and sometimes confuse the evenly beating legs of a diver. But while the females noticed the mistake immediately after a short lick and quickly ran away, the males would need a little longer. They are so excited that they do not notice the difference to a female at all, according to the researchers. Some males would even wrap themselves around their fins, a behavior that is typical of the mating dance.

If you were to swim away, the snakes would even feel encouraged and follow their conquest - who can resist female seduction? The researchers advise divers to stay calm in such a situation. However, that requires some trust that the snake love is strong enough to avoid a bite.