The majority of sea snakes live in the warm seas of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Most of the species are found in the Coral Triangle region of Southeast Asia, with Australia a close second. Built for marine life, sea snakes have rounded bodies and flat tails. Furthermore as they swim, small flaps cover their noses to keep the sea water out.
The families of sea snakes differ in their need for land and fresh water. The Hydrophiinae like the yellow-bellied sea snake spend their entire lives at sea. They have glands under their tongues to discharge salt. Also, the powerful lung of these snakes allows them to dive deeply, and stay underwater for a long time. Great numbers of these sea snakes can be found floating out in the open ocean in a giant raft (“slick”).
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