Box 193, Herston QLD 4029 AustraliaEmail: admin@snakebiteinitiative.orgWebsite: https://www.snakebiteinitiative.org, African Snakebite Institute (ASI)Poison Information Helpline: 0861 555 777Phone: +27 82 494 2039Email: admin@asiorg.co.zaWebsite: https://www.africansnakebiteinstitute.com, Advocates for Snake PreservationPO Box 2752Silver City, New Mexico 88062Phone: (520) 333-6957Website: https://www.snakes.ngo, Minutes To DieWebsite: http://minutestodie.com, The Asclepius Snakebite FoundationEmail: info@snakebitefoundation.orgWebsite: https://www.snakebitefoundation.org, http://snakedatabase.org/pages/ld50.php (accessed on 03/08/2019), http://snakedatabase.org/species/Hydrophis/belcheri (accessed on 03/08/2019), https://www.who.int/snakebites/en/ (accessed on 03/08/2019), https://www.who.int/snakebites/resources/9789290225300/en/ (accessed on 03/08/2019), https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/snakebite-envenoming (accessed on 03/08/2019), http://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=hydrophis&species=belcheri (accessed on 03/08/2019), http://www.toxinology.com/fusebox.cfm?fuseaction=main.snakes.display&id=SN0562 (accessed on 03/08/2019), https://sites.google.com/site/venomousdangerous/snakes/most-venomous-sea-snakes (accessed on 03/08/2019). The antivenom should ideally be administered intravenously using a drip set but only if you’re certain than envenomation occurred, as some unpleasant side effects make it potentially dangerous and unpleasant. Identifying a Belcher’s sea snake isn’t as easy as you might expect, partly due to the inaccurate descriptions and false identifications contained in many online resources. World Health Organization (WHO)Avenue Appia 20 1211 Geneva 27, SwitzerlandPhone: + 41 22 791 21 11Fax: + 41 22 791 31 11Website: http://www.who.int, American Association of Poison Control Centers (USA)515 King St., Suite 510, Alexandria, VA 22314Phone: (703) 894-1858Email: info@aapcc.orgWebsite: http://www.aapcc.org, National Capital Poison Center (USA)3201 New Mexico Ave, Suite 310 Washington, DC 20016Administrative Line: (202) 362-3867Emergency Line: 1 (800) 222-1222Fax: (202) 362-8377Email: pc@poison.orgWebsite: http://www.poison.org, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)40 Rector Street, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10006 USAPhone: 00 1 212 679 6800Fax: 00 1 212 679 7016Email: info@doctorswithoutborders.orgWebsite: https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org, Global Snakebite Initiative (Australia)P.O. While you aren’t in danger of being swallowed whole like the Belcher’s regular prey, the effects of venom are similarly all-engulfing. Like the Belcher’s sea snake, the Black Ringed’s venom is neurotoxic, meaning it attacks the nervous system, disrupting the chemical signals traveling between the brain and body. While only around 75% of its bites envenomate the victim, that’s more than enough given the efficacy of its neurotoxic venom. In the past, the method was overlooked which made the results of a toxicity test on a Blecher’s sea snake produce inaccurate results suggestive of it being the most toxic snake in the world. Their scales overlap each other. Anti-venoms for snake bite: A synthetic and traditional drugs review. The Belcher’s sea snake was first discovered by the British Zoologist John Edward Gray in the Yeas 1849. Failure to obtain early assessment and management from the highest level of care (available within the community) may potentially result in severe complications and death. Can they eat cat and…, Are fennec foxes endangered? Widely considered one of the most deadliest snakes in the world due to its potent venom, one drop of the Belcher’s Sea Snake’s venom is capable of killing a human within minutes. It wasn’t only YouTube that had the wrong information about the Belcher’s sea snake and its venom, in fact, that confusion has been around since 1996 when a book entitled Snakes in Question: The Smithsonian Answer Book mistakenly labeled the Belcher’s as the world’s most venomous snake. Which are more dangerous? However, while the Belcher’s belongs to the subfamily of sea snakes known as “true” sea snakes or Hydrophiinae, its doppelganger is a member of the Laticaudinae family, otherwise known as “false” sea snakes or kraits. Living off the coastline of the Philippines, Indonesia, and Australia, it lives a quiet life amongst the coral, hunting and ambushing small fish and crustaceans while avoiding the predatory threats posed by eagles and sharks. Symptoms of the snake’s bite include extreme vomiting, nausea, migraines, excruciating abdominal pain, diarrhea, dizziness, convulsions, and paralysis. As we mentioned earlier, with its small mouth and short fangs, the Belcher’s is somewhat limited when it comes to taking on a human being. Thank you Liz! The Belcher's sea snake (Hydrophis belcheri) is a highly venomous snake belonging to the family Elapidae, which generally includes slender and swift moving snakes. Although information about the sea snake’s predators is fairly scarce, sharks have been seen hunting the Belcher’s, with reports of both Grey Reef Sharks and Blacktip Reef Sharks pursuing this stripy prey. They’re a small snake compared to the inland taipan or black mamba. This is different from rattlesnakes and other common venomous U.S. snakes, which bite once and then let go. You May Also Like. in Coronavirus, Health. Venomous reptiles and their toxins: evolution, pathophysiology and biodiscovery. Hope that helps! Without it, they have just 30 minutes. Although the Belcher's Sea Snake possesses a more potent venom, attacks on humans are relatively rare. I’ve always been fascinated by snakes and reptiles. I hope that you find this website useful! How Does A Belcher’s Sea Snake Attack its Prey? Sea snakes have what are called ‘proteroglyphous’ fangs. Cheryl E Preston from Roanoke on July 03, 2019: Wow, that’s a big one. They have ventral scales which are very narrow. The last category of fang, the opisthoglyphous, are similar to the solenoglyphous in that they are also folded back when not in use, but are situated at the back of the mouth, like in the boomslang, making envenomation more complex but, potentially, just as effective. The small head has similar band color as the rest of his body and its small mouth is suitable for its underwater living. In terms of appearance, Belcher’s sea snake isn’t very distinctive: They’re often confused for the ‘yellow-lipped sea krait’ or ‘Hydrophis pachyceros.’ These snakes share similar habitats and are of the same family. This may develop within 10 minutes or even after 6 hours, typically starting with itchiness over the scalp and other skin areas. This confusion arose as a result of inadequate toxicity tests. The snake is also called as the faint-banded sea snake While it’s true that a Belcher’s sea snake is venomous enough to kill a human in a matter of minutes, in most cases, it doesn’t present any real threat. photos that may be disturbing to young children! The majority of adult sea snakes species grow to between 120 and 150 cm (3.9 and 4.9 ft) in length, with the largest, Hydrophis spiralis, reaching a maximum of 3 m (9.8 ft). That’s partly because you’re underwater. It’s covered from top to tail in low-contrast bands. (Complete Budgie Diet Guide), What does a fennec fox eat? The prognosis of Belcher’s Sea Snake Bite with immediate and effective therapy is usually good, Belcher’s Sea Snake Bite may occur to any individual exposed to the snake, usually in the coastal areas or while at sea (when fishing or diving); although, sea snake bite incidents are generally low, Individuals of any age and gender are prone to sea snake bites in the endemic zones. Kraits are again different in this respect, having enlarged ventral scales similar to a terrestrial snake’s, that enhance its terrestrial movement. Resembling the kind of needle a doctor would use to administer an injection, the Belcher’s fangs are short but sharp, in contrast to solenoglyphous fangs which are much longer, reaching up to two inches in length. Like most true sea snakes, the Belcher’s has small scales on its body, with its ventral scales, which run along the underside of the body, being much the same size as its dorsal scales. I'm not a big fan of snakes either haha. Eric Dierker from Spring Valley, CA. This is a very good fact file. Sometimes, only small scratch marks or lacerations may be observed. Australia's Dangerous Snakes: Identification, Biology and Envenoming. Attacking the nervous system, neurotoxicity results in muscle failure and causes the victim to stop breathing. It is an elapid sea snake. Yeah, I completely agree. The rest of its body is of an uninspiring yellowish hue which often leads to it being confused with the yellow-lipped sea krait. Their eyes are relatively small with a round pupil and most have nostrils located dorsally. California red-sided garter snake facts (Are they poisonous?). The Belcher’s Sea snake is found primarily near the tropical reefs of the Indian Ocean, Gulf of Thailand, New Guinea, Indonesia, and the coastline of the Philippines. Snake Venom and its Effects on The Body. Nevertheless, even in suspect cases, the presence of any such symptoms requires the attention of a qualified medical professional, Also, if the individual has been treated using alternative/native medicines, it may present additional confusing symptoms. Wikipedia contributors, "Hydrophis belcheri," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hydrophis_belcheri&oldid=890407501 (accessed July 3, 2019). This means that … Having said that, if you’re a keen fisherman and have come face to face with a Belcher’s sea snake snared in your net, you’ll know to approach it with the greatest caution. As Chicago’s Field Museum of Natural History sea snake expert, John C. Murphy, says, “It would not be a nice way to go.”. (Jumping spider facts and lifespan), 8 AMAZING jumping spiders types you can get as pets, Are jumping spiders friendly or harmful to us? Ukuwela, K. D., Lee, M. S., Rasmussen, A. R., De Silva, A., Fry, B. G., Ghezellou, P., ... & Sanders, K. L. (2016). Belcher’s Sea Snake Bite may be avoided by: Both large and small snakes have the potential for severe envenomation; hence, all snake bites should be treated promptly and appropriately.