Sea snakes

Sea snakes are closely related to Cobras. They are aquatic rather than land dwelling snakes. True sea snakes only live in water. Sea Snakes have adapted to a life in water and have small flattened heads that minimizes water resistance when they swim. The Sea Snakes body is compressed as an adaptation for swimming and the snakes are so thoroughly aquatic that they are either clumsy or slow when brought ashore. Sea Snakes are only moderately large, rarely exceeding 2 metres in length, often with peculiarly small heads for their body size.

Only genus 'Laticauda' (which includes the Black Banded Sea Krait) has the typical broad ventral scales of snakes and it is often considered the least advanced of the sea snakes. Nevertheless, similar to cetaceans, their lungs still require them to surface occasionally to breathe. Oxygen intake through the skin has been demonstrated in sea snakes. Sea snakes like warm, tropical waters, however, when the water gets too warm, they swim down to cooler temperatures.

Transmitters attached to yellow-bellied sea snakes show they can dive to about 150 feet and can stay underwater for more than three hours. Like seabirds and sea turtles, sea snakes have special glands that collect extra salt from the blood. The snakess salt glands lie beneath their tongues. Each time a sea snake flicks its tongue, it is ejecting salt back into the ocean.

Sea snakes have specialized flattened tails for swimming and have valves over their nostrils which are closed underwater. Unlike eels, sea snakes lack gills or fins, instead having scales and spending much of their time underwater, they must surface regularly to breathe.

Sea Snake Habitat : Sea snakes are confined to the tropical oceans, chiefly the Indian Ocean and the western Pacific Ocean. The yellow-bellied sea snake, (Pelamis platurus), extends to the eastern Pacific. The olive sea snake, (Aipysurus laevis), tends to live in reefs.

Sea Snake Behaviour and Diet : The yellow-bellied sea snake (Pelamis platurus) is pelagic (living in open oceans or seas rather than waters adjacent to land or inland waters) and is seen on occasions floating in massive groups. Fish that come up to shelter under slicks provide food for the snakes. Occasionally these yellow-bellied sea snakes get washed up on beaches after storms and pose a hazard to children.

Sea snakes are aggressive only during the mating season in the winter, the sea snake is very curious and they become fascinated by elongated objects such as high pressure hoses.

The Sea snakes favourite food is fish. Sea snakes prey on fish (including eels) and crustaceans. A couple of species are specialised in eating fish eggs. Others are specialised in eating certain fish species.

Sea Snake Reproduction : Except for a single genus, all sea snakes are ovoviviparous (development of eggs that remain within the mothers body up until they hatch or are about to hatch.). The young are born alive in the water where they live out their entire life cycle. In some species, the young are quite large, sometimes up to half as long as their mother. The one exception is the genus 'Laticauda', which are oviparous (animals that lay eggs with little or no other embryonic development within the mother). Its five species all lay their eggs on land.

Sea Snake Venom : Sea snakes may not be the most venomous in the world, however, their venom is more toxic than that of Mojave rattlesnakes and king cobras. Sea snakes venom contains some of the same chemicals found in cobra venom, only more concentrated in form.

Phuket Island

Phuket, Thailand, is commonly referred to as the ‘Pearl of South’ and is the largest island in Thailand. Phuket Island runs 48 kilometers (34 miles) north to south and 21 kilometers (16 miles) east to west. Phuket is broken by a chain of mountains and valleys mainly from a north-south range running down the west coast. This accounts for about 70% of the land area. The tallest peak, Mai Tao Sip Song (12 Cane Peak) is 529 meters. The other 30% of the island is flat land located mainly in the central and eastern portions of the island. Laying in the Andaman Sea off southern Thailand’s west coast, the island’s terrain is incredibly varied, with rocky headlands, long broad sandy beaches, limestone cliffs, forested hills, small estuaries, lagoons, and tropical vegetation of all kinds. Its large size has allowed microclimates to develop in different areas of the island.

The island offers many different looks and feels for you to discover and enjoy. Kata Beach with its spectacular tropical scenery compared with the stately cassurina trees that are found on Nai Yang Beach just a few kilometers north. The triple canopy rainforest of Khao Phra Thaeo National Park to the mud flats and mangrove swamps of Koh Siray. Limestone outcroppings line the east coast and solid granite boulders on the west. Phuket is truly a tropical wonderland and offers something for just about everyone.

Phuket Island (Thailand)

PHUKET Located approximately 862 kilometerd south of Bangkok Phuket Island is Thailand largest island, which is often dubbed as the Pearl of the Andaman, or the Prarl of the south. it's natural resources-rocky peninsular, limestons cliffs, white powdery beaches, tranquil broad bays and tropical in-land forests contribute to making it the South's wealthiest, busiest, most visited and most popular island and province.
Nestled in the tropical zone off the west coast of the southern part of Thailand in the Andaman Sea and the Indian Ocean, the province covers an area of approximately 543 square kilometers.

It's estimated that Phuket Province covers an area of approximately 590 square kilometers if it's 39 other small island are included.

The islands total length, from north to south is estimated at 48.7 kilometers and approximately 21.3 kilometers wide.

Phuket Island broders on Phang Nga Province to the north. The other three sides are encircled by the Andaman Sea, the place where many of the best diving sites are located. The island is connected to Phang Nga province by Sarasin Bridge and Thep Krasatri Bridge. Staying on the island is easy, as there are onlt tho seasons in a year (the rainy season start from May until October) and (the hot season start from November until April) the Green Season of Phuket Island between September and October as they are the wettest months. The Hi Season peried for a visti is between November until February, when it is possible to see the clear blue sky, feel the fresh sea breeze and marvel at the crystal clear water while lying on powdery, palm-fringed beaches.

Average temperatures ranges between 23C and 33C, Phuket Island topology is exceptional with 70 percent of its area covered with mountains which stretch from north to souuth and the remaining 30 percent being plains located in the central and eastern parts of the island.
The island does not have any major rivers except for a total nine brooks and creeks. Phuket Island is divided into three administrative counties namely Muang Districe, Thaland Districe and Kathu Districe.

Phuket Island has a lot more to offer its visitors other than its natural heritage sea, sand, sky , beach, forest and world-renowned diving sites. Sino-Portuguese architecture casts its spell delighting travelers to the city, while Phuket style hospitality has never failed to impress visitors from all walks of life. In addition, accommodations ranging from world-class resorts to tropical-style bungalows have warmly catered to the different needs of travelers. For seafood lovers, there is a lot more to sample than just Phuket Island fomous lobster. Altogether, these characteristics have made Phuket island a truly unique destination.

Side Map : http://www.phuketleisureagency.com/Phuket-map-5.gif