Sea Snakes or Any Type of Snakes in BVI ?

[spencerj1961]

Today I was reading the post in Cruising With Pets about "Sea Snakes" and it made wonder about what there is lurking in the water in the BVI's. So even though I really am afraid to ask, are there sea snakes or any type of snake swimming in the water in the BVI's that could slither up the sailboat??
Thank You spencerj1961

[knotnow]

In over 12 years have never seen one but look out for the Land Pirates

[GordMay]

NO.
Sea snakes are common in the oceanic coastal waters of Australia, New Guinea, Pacific Islands, the Philippines, Southeast Asia, Sri Lanka, & Japan.
They’re absent in the Atlantic Ocean, and the Caribbean.

[Ram]

keep an eye out for those 2 legged sea snakes there the only ones that are apt to bit you

[cabo_sailor]

You should be aware that in Florida waters one will occasionally run into a rattlesnake, either on an island or in very nearshore waters. It's very rare to find them in the water but it does happen. I hate snakes but it is not something that keeps me from a swim.

Rich

[downunder]

Don't know why some people are paranoid about seasnakes.

Simply not an issue. Might also ask the same question about Sharks.

Neither are an issue.

[beau]

We have sea snakes on the great barrier reef off Australia. They are very very poisonous but never attack humans and their teeth are way back apparantly.
I have seen lots of them while diving but have never had any problems, but i would not try and touch one.

[atoll]

fer de lance,common in the windward islands,very venomous,bvi's not so common in lesser antillies,mostly shy but do drop from trees,and sleepy on the ground,so watch where you tread in dense bush.

Saint Lucia Lancehead - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Pictures of Reptiles | Fer-de-Lance by Costa Rica Photos

[SunKing]

Originally Posted by cabo_sailor

You should be aware that in Florida waters one will occasionally run into a rattlesnake, either on an island or in very nearshore waters. It's very rare to find them in the water but it does happen. I hate snakes but it is not something that keeps me from a swim.

Rich

you may be thinking of a water moccasin, same family as rattler. very aggressive, swims and have been known to try to climb aboard boats (mine for one) although rarely. i was anchored between a small island and mainland right in the path they normally swam between the two. my mistake and as soon as i left so did the intrusion. never saw one in open waters though.

[imagine2frolic]

Well Isla Culebra is very close.......hehehehehehe.....i2f

[spencerj1961]

thank you all for your replys. I am glad to hear that I do not have to worry about sea snakes, I do not think I could have convinced my other half to go then. downunder, ever since I saw Jaws when I was young, sharks have always "worried" me but has never stopped me from going in the water. spencerj1961

[maxingout]

I have seen a bazillion of sea snakes in New Caledonia.

We also saw a poisonous snake swimming in Gatun Lake when we went through the Panama Canal.

During my internship, I saw a patient in the ICU at Gorgas hospital in the Canal Zone after he was bitten by a tiny Fer De Lance not much bigger than a pencil. It nearly killed him. I saw the snake in a small bottle in the nursing satation in the ICU.

I also once chased a cobra into a hole in Saudi Arabia when make a comfort stop.

I have seen a couple of sand vipers in Saudi Arabian sands as well when camping in the desert.

[cabo_sailor]

Sunking,

Nope I meant rattlesnake. The island we often anchor off near Tarpon Springs is known for having rattlesnakes. Also, many years ago, as a graduate student in marine geology, we were working in Biscayne Bay, we were specifically warned about the buggers. There were also a couple of news stories at that time of water skiers running into what were considered mating nests, just offshore. Multiple rattlers doing their thing. As a geologist I am familiar with both rattlers and water moccasins, definitely the moccasin is much more aggressive. As I posted I really do not like snakes, and as a geologist for many years I carried a sidearm loaded with snake shot plus a couple of two legged snake rounds. I am pleased to say I never used it. They might scare the bejesus out of me but I won't take a life that doesn't need taking, they serve a purpose. Every time I've come across one, they were no more interested in me (well except the moccasins) than I was in them. They would usually back off.

Check this site:

These Everglades Animals Are What Many People Want to See

Still, if the probability of a shark attack is small, and it is, then the probability of a snake attack, is even smaller. The Florida agency I worked with had 800 employees and spent a lot of time in wetlands, and in the 15 years I worked there not one field tech was bitten. I do know one that got lyme disease from a tick and I ended up with Rocky Mountain spotted fever from a tick, so beware the bugs.

I'm more worried about dragging an anchor than I am the wildlife. Normal caution is sufficient, I won't be going swimming in the dark or at dusk because of mistaken identity but no problem during the day.

Keep well,
Rich

[downunder]

Originally Posted by SunKing

you may be thinking of a water moccasin, same family as rattler. very aggressive, swims and have been known to try to climb aboard boats (mine for one) although rarely. i was anchored between a small island and mainland right in the path they normally swam between the two. my mistake and as soon as i left so did the intrusion. never saw one in open waters though.

Careful you will have a lot of destop cruisers panaroid now.

[downunder]

Originally Posted by spencerj1961

thank you all for your replys. I am glad to hear that I do not have to worry about sea snakes, I do not think I could have convinced my other half to go then. downunder, ever since I saw Jaws when I was young, sharks have always "worried" me but has never stopped me from going in the water. spencerj1961

Spencer be sure you won't have any issues. Diving on the Queensland coast and coral sea we handle them all the timewithout gloves - are generally just curious.