In Bengal's Bakkhali Beach, Tourists Scared After Spotting Yellow-bellied Sea Snake

Tourists at Bakkhali Beach, West Bengal were left horrified when they came across a yellow-bellied sea snake, a venomous serpent on July 28, afternoon. According to Local 18 Bengal, there was a massive uproar among the locals and tourists due to this occurrence.

This serpent was washed ashore on Bakkhali Beach due to a tidal wave. It had been spotted for the first time at Bakkhali Beach. The Kakdwip Sub-Divisional administration and Frezerganj Coastal Police Station had started alerting the people at the spot about the snake on July 28.

Civil Defense Personnel found the snake floating on Bakkhali Beach when many tourists were bathing in the sea. The moment the personnel saw this impending danger, they evacuated everyone immediately. After everyone had been evacuated from the beach, the Civil Defense Personnel rescued the snake alive. The serpent has now been handed over to the forest department.

Earlier a Yellow-bellied sea snake was also spotted in Digha, West Bengal in 2023. Now, another occurrence at Bakkhali Beach has exacerbated fear in the minds of the tourists. The administration is now looking to come up with steps on how to resolve this issue.

Pelamis platurus, commonly known as the Yellow-Bellied Sea Snake or the Yellow Sea Snake, is a highly venomous sea snake belonging to the family Elapidae. This species is known for its striking appearance, potent venom, and unique adaptations to a marine lifestyle.

The Yellow-Bellied Sea Snake is highly venomous and contains potent neurotoxic venom. Neurotoxic venom is said to be the deadliest poison and depending on the amount injected into the victim, it can kill within 30 minutes. Its venom is primarily used to immobilise and kill its prey, which mainly consists of small fish and eels.

Pelamis platurus is globally distributed across the warm tropical and subtropical waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Its range comprises the coasts of Southeast Asia, Northern Australia, Pacific islands, and parts of the western coast of Central and South America.

Unlike most sea snakes that inhabit coastal waters and coral reefs, the Yellow-Bellied Sea Snake prefers open ocean environments, often found far from land.