typhlonectes:Short-nosed Sea Snake (Aipysurus apraefrontalis)by Rebecca NadgeWith no sightings since
typhlonectes:Short-nosed Sea Snake (Aipysurus apraefrontalis)by Rebecca NadgeWith no sightings since 2000, short-nosed sea snake populations are in serious declineThe CRITICALLY ENDANGERED short-nosed sea snake grows up to 60cm long, is relatively slender and has a small head. The species is brown in colour with purple to brown patterns, and scales on the body overlap one another. The sea snake sheds its skin every two to six weeks, and rids excess salt from the sea water through a gland that is located under the tongue.Populations of short-nosed sea snakes are declining at rates of around 90 per cent; however, the demise of the species has not been attributed to one particular cause. Global warming has certainly affected the species’ habitat, with coral bleaching occurring in reefs due to the warming of the ocean. In addition, there is a possibility that the ocean temperature has exceeded the snake’s tolerance level, which is believed to be 36°C…(read more: Australian Geographic)photograph by Hall Cogger -- source link