Deadly Sea Snake Washes Ashore in Orange County

A deadly sea snake has washed up on a local beach for the second time in as many months.

Surfrider volunteers at a Huntington Beach cleanup found the highly venomous yellow-bellied sea snake amid trash on the beach last week. The snake was dead, but it’s discovery prompted concern because yellow-bellied sea snake is more toxic than a rattlesnake.

In October, a yellow-bellied sea snake was discovered by a surfer in the tide at Silverstrand Beach in Ventura County. That was the first time the venomous creature was spotted so far north in decades.

The snake is the latest in the parade of tropical sea creatures to show up at local beaches thanks to the warm waters El Niño. Commonly found in tropical waters, the snake lives its entire life at sea and reportedly congregates in groups of thousands. Authorities are warning residents to be cautious if they see a yellow-bellied sea snake.

In addition to sharks and serpents, thousands of red crabs have washed ashore in OC beaches, and tuna and jellyfish-like creatures known as “by-the-wind sailors” have invaded local waters.

On its Facebook page, Heal the Bay asks that “If you see these sea snakes, take photos, note the exact location, and report any sightings in California to iNaturalist and Herp Mapper.”

Photos: Surfrider