Study: Unprovoked attacks on scuba divers by poisonous olive sea snakes are likely to be related to mating

Scuba divers often report unwarranted attacks by sea snakes, which can include chasing and biting, according to foreign media reports. The cause of these attacks has been unclear, but new research suggests that sea snakes may mistakenly believe that divers are potential companions. Professor Rick Shine, from Macquarie University's Department of Biological Sciences, and colleagues analyzed data collected between 1994 and 1995 that described the behavior of one of the researchers, Tim Lynch, when he encountered an olive sea snake while working as a diver on Australia's Great Barrier Reef.

The researchers found that out of 158 exposures, 74 sea snakes approached divers, and this happened more frequently between the mating season — between May and August. Male sea snakes are more likely than female sea snakes to approach divers — especially during mating season — and bounce their tongues near the diver's body. There were 13 encounters involving sea snakes rushing quickly toward divers.

The researchers observed that all charges occurred during the mating season, and that charges involving males occurred immediately after unsuccessfully chasing females or interacting with male opponents. Three males are also observed coiling around the diver's fins, a behavior usually observed during courtship. Female snakes charge after they are chased by the male or lose sight and then re-approach the diver.

Previous studies have shown that sea snakes find it difficult to identify shapes in water. Researchers believe that sea snake attacks may be due to male sea snakes mistaking divers for opponents or potential mates, while female sea snakes believe divers are a potential hiding place. The research team notes that by staying still and allowing sea snakes to investigate them with their tongues, divers are less likely to be attacked and bitten.

"The ocean is a dangerous place for humans – if something goes wrong, things can end badly," Professor Shine said, "and it's of course 'something went wrong' to see a giant sea snake coming at you at you." Hopefully, understanding why that snake is coming toward you — it mistakes you for a female of its own species — can soothe your nerves and lead to a better outcome. ”