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Of these the vast majority are confined to the seas of 

 India, Malaya, Japan and Australasia. Only one species 

 is found in the waters of the New World, and this is the 

 Yellow-bellied Sea Snake, Hydras platurus, sometimes seen 

 off the west coast of South America. In common with 

 other members of the order this serpent is slender, eel-like, 



Sea Snake (Hydrophis) 



covered with very small scales, and having the tail flattened 

 vertically to form an effective paddle. Many Sea Snakes 

 are vivid in colour and ornamented with stripes or similar 

 patterns that harmonise with the ripples and waves, thus 

 serving as camouflage. 



In some areas these serpents literally swarm, swimming 

 at the sea surface in large numbers and often being washed 

 up dead by thousands after severe storms. The majority 

 are highly poisonous. 



