Another Bizarre Animal From Australia (What Else is New)

image credit: scienceblogs.com

image credit: na.oceana.org

Habitat: Indian Ocean and Pacific, from northern Australia to Fiji

Status: Least Concern

Slithering around the waters of Australia is the Turtle-headed Sea Snake (Emydocephalus annulatus). Poor Marlin from Finding Nemo could have been a victim of this snake’s attacks – instead of a baracuda – since they are specially adapted to devour fish eggs.

The snake swims briskly along until it encounters an egg mass glued to coral branches or laid directly on the sand. If it is stuck, the snake uses the enlarged scale, sharpened into a menacing blade, to pry the eggs loose (see the first picture).

Nemo would have never had a chance.