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).
Carly Brooke is the animal-obsessed founder and author of the award-winning animal website, The Featured Creature.com, where little-known species become known.
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