1 82 A NATURAL HISTORY OF THE SEA 



Sea Snakes do not as a rule flourish in European aquaria, 

 however carefully attended, but in the more genial environ- 

 ment of the Madras Aquarium, where they always figure 

 as common examples of the local fauna, they lend themselves 

 well to observation. 



It was found that they lived peaceably with savage 

 Murasna Eels and small sharks, getting rather less than 

 their share at meal-times. When given live fish the prey 

 succumbs to their poison within only a few seconds of 

 being struck. When the prey was large, engulfing took 

 several hours, digestion being a matter of instalments. 

 The head and shoulders of the fish were first dissolved 

 before the tail protruding from the snake's mouth could be 

 accommodated. Spiny fish were always avoided and a 

 species of small Sea Perch was not only unmolested, but 

 allowed to scrimmage the scraps of food amongst the 

 writhing coils of a dozen hungry serpents. 



In common with big Sharks, Turtles and many other 

 sea animals, Sea Snakes are often partially covered with 

 both acorn and stalk barnacles. Whereas most animals 

 so encumbered suffer inconvenience, the more fortunate 

 snakes are periodically able to rid themselves of these 

 nuisances by casting their old skin, which they do in one 

 piece. For some time prior to this operation the snake 

 lies passively just under the sea surface. Presently it 

 acquires a new suit and regains vigour and appetite. 



