Rare, venomous sea snake found slithering on Southern California shores. Are more coming?

L A Times ^ | Louis Sahagun

[BenLurkin]

The yellow-bellied sea snake discovered near the 18th Street lifeguard tower on Monday was the third report of the species in Southern California since 2015 — and the fifth since 1972, said Greg Pauly, herpetological curator at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.

...

Sporting short sharp fangs capable of delivering extremely potent venom, the snake — named for its bright yellow underside and flattened yellow tail with black spots — is no joke.

But Pauly said “these are pretty mellow animals” and they are unlikely to bite a person unless they are picked up."

...

The yellow-bellied sea snake is the most wide-ranging in the world, inhabiting the coasts of Africa, Asia, Australia, Central America and Mexico, including the Baja California Peninsula.

The species, Pelamis platura, was first seen in Southern California in San Clemente in 1972. All subsequent local sightings, with the exception of the one reported Monday, occurred during El Niño years, which are marked by higher sea surface temperatures, Pauly said.

[MIchaelTArchangel]

I am more worried about the other two venomous land snakes in and actually coming to California:
1. Democratus Poticiananus
2. Immigrantos Terminus a Meridie
The bit of either is deadly to life, liberty and the American way.

[CardCarryingMember.VastRightWC]

Since there are so few of them in the US, they are automatically covered under the Endangered Species Act.

Entire public beaches will have to be closed off to provide breeding grounds for them.

[CardCarryingMember.VastRightWC]

Hey, these Mexican snakes are only doing the jobs that American snakes refuse to do.

[EQAndyBuzz]

[Avalon Memories]

the third report of the species in Southern California since 2015 — and the fifth since 1972

We're doomed!!! Dooomed, I tell ya!

Why its the 5th sighting in 46 years and the 3rd in the last three years. One a year the last three years.

[mairdie]

Absolutely TERRIFYING! Somewhere I still have a photo of a beware of rattlesnakes sign. Will find it later.

[mairdie]

Well phrased.

[mairdie]

I really enjoy your sense of humor.

[mairdie]

EXCELLENT!

[Trillian]

"Oceans are warming and the species that respond to that change will be those that are the most mobile," Pauly said. "So the big question now is this: Are sea snakes swimming off the coast of Southern California the new normal?"

More global warming bullshit.

[Pelham]

Newport Beach, 18th street.

This snake is a Social Justice Warrior out to kill the rich.

[Pelham]

Those began in SoCal too. Santa Ana is where Shelby had his shop.

[zigmeisterxiv]

Naw ... it was just Sheila Kuehl.

z

[EveningStar]

It has a wide distribution which includes the Western Hemisphere.

[NFHale]

Yeah, there’s THAT one too... :^)

[NFHale]

I’ll take one of those too!!! :^)

289 or 427, I’m in...

[Churchillspirit]

Thanks for this ping...and all the others.