AMERICANALMANAC (Charles McAdams) - Venomous yellow-bellied sea snake could slither into Southern California waters as El Niño heats the Pacific
Warmer ocean temperatures driven by El Niño may push one of the world's most venomous sea snakes into Southern California beach waters, and the region's punishing heat wave suggests conditions are ripe. Scientists warn that the yellow-bellied sea snake, a highly toxic predator normally found in tropical stretches of the Pacific and Indian oceans, could […] The post Venomous yellow-bellied sea snake could slither into Southern California waters as El Niño heats the Pacific appeared first on American Almanac .
Warmer ocean temperatures driven by El Niño may push one of the world's most venomous sea snakes into Southern California beach waters, and the region's punishing heat wave suggests conditions are ripe. Scientists warn that the yellow-bellied sea snake, a highly toxic predator normally found in tropical stretches of the Pacific and Indian oceans, could drift northward into waters off the Southern California coast as El Niño drives ocean surface temperatures well above average. Douglas McCauley, director of the Benioff Ocean Initiative at UC Santa Barbara, told USA Today that unusual species are already showing up as the ocean warms. The snake's venom packs a combination of powerful neurotoxins and myotoxins that the Australian Museum…Open