Caution: Mass Beaching of Sea Serpents along Nayarit Coast
Tara A. Spears
Visitors and residents of Jaltemba Bay who enjoy walking the beach were shocked to discover dozens of writhing snakes in the sand this week. Although this is an unusual occurrence, the last time environmental conditions spawned the grounding of sea serpents was in 2019. It is important to know that the ocean snakes are poisonous and you should keep out of striking distance. Furthermore, they are marine creatures that will die on dry land. It would be kind if you can use an umbrella or stick to push them back into the surf. The abundance of sea serpents near and on the shore is the reason for the stay-out-of-the-ocean red flag this week. Being aware of the presence of these poisonous critters won’t spoil your vacation, just be alert to the possibility as you take that beach stroll.
The sea snake is usually found in warm ocean waters a few miles from shore, but most commonly the serpents inhabit the drift lines in the open ocean where ocean currents converge said the CaliforniaHerps.com. But the combined affects in March 2022 of a mild earthquake, magnitude 4.2 on March 12, near San Blas, Nayarit, high surf and warm ocean temperatures related to current El Nino and global warming, created conditions that tossed the marine snakes on the beach. Greg Pauly, a herpetology curator at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, said the snakes were probably not well when they are found on shore.
Wild weather brings the yellow-bellied sea snakes, which are normally entirely aquatic and highly venomous, onto Nayarit beaches. Most sea snakes are 3-5 feet (0.9-1.5 meters) long, but some can reach lengths of 8 feet (2.4 meters). According to Live Science, The sea serpent, P.platura, is usually found in the tropical parts of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, including the western coast of Mexico and Central America. These snakes have striking yellow bellies that serve as warning signals to other animals that they are venomous, meaning they inject a toxic substance when they bite a person or other animal.
Although there are thousands of snake bites reported each year in Mexico, the mortality rate from bites is less than 1%. The venomous type of snake has a diamond shaped head and elliptical eye shape, but who wants to be close enough to check that
out?
Indicators of a snake bite are pain, bruising, bleeding and local swelling. After one hour, possible symptoms include headache, irritability, light sensitivity, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, confusion and coagulation abnormalities. If left untreated, a snake bite can lead to limb and respiratory muscle paralysis, respiratory failure, peripheral circulatory failure and even death within 8 to 72 hours. If you are bitten, try to notice the snake’s color and immediately seek medical attention. However, no human deaths in Mexico have ever been reported as a result of P. platura sea serpent.
Sea snakes are not aggressive although they have been known to bite humans in self-defense or when surprised; this most commonly occurs when fisherman attempt to remove them from fishing nets. Many people confuse sea snakes with eels. The most reliable way to differentiate between the two is to look for the presence of a dorsal fin. Eels have a ridge or fin that runs the length of their bodies, while sea snakes do not.
If you witnessed the invasion of the sea serpents March 2022, consider it an unusual antidote about your Mexican vacation. For most people, the ocean is a happy-zone; a place to relax and connect to new experiences, enjoy nature and each other. This month, the ocean provided an opportunity to see a different type of creature up close and personal. What an interesting photo op- just don’t touch!