KOROR STATE GOVERNMENT MARINE TOUR GUIDE ... - C3
KOROR STATE GOVERNMENT MARINE TOUR GUIDE ... - C3 KOROR STATE GOVERNMENT MARINE TOUR GUIDE ... - C3
3.8.5 Sea Snakes and Sea Kraits Although similar to land snakes, sea snakes are well adapted to the marine environment. They have a paddle-shaped tail that propels them through the water, and their belly scales are formed into a keel that helps stabilize them when they are swimming. The species most commonly encountered here is the banded sea krait, Laticauda colubrina. Feeding Sea kraits like sea snakes are among the most venomous snakes in the world possessing some of the most potent toxins known. Most feed on a variety of fish, with one species, the turtle-headed sea snake, being specialized in feeding on fish eggs. Defense Sea snakes are not aggressive, except during the mating season, when they are territorial. Fortunately, the fangs of the sea snakes are quite short, with only the large animals able to penetrate a wetsuit. In addition, sea snakes also have the ability to withhold venom during a strike. The Palauan sea krait is not aggressive. There are no reports of injury from a sea krait. Reproduction Externally, the female Palauan sea kraits are larger than males. Sea snakes may produce between two and ten live young, which are born at sea. Diving Sea snakes are great divers, being able to dive for over an hour. They only have one lung which is over two-thirds of their body length. In addition to breathing air, sea snakes are able to take in about 30% of their oxygen requirement from the water through their anus and skin. By taking in the extra oxygen they are able to displace the amount of nitrogen in their blood, which prevents suffering from the bends. Information Source: Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority REEF MANUAL: Understanding Essentials of Communication 1999. Mandy T. Etpison, 2004. Palau-Natural History. 68
3.8.6 Fish Nearly 1300 species of reef fish are found in Palau. Large schools of reef fish aggregate on the reefs for protection, feeding, and breeding. Schooling protects fish from larger predatory species as it is difficult to target one fish when there are many. Reef fish feed in schools at specific areas rich in benthic, pelagic, and planktonic food, such as dropoffs, channels, seagrass beds, and even corals serve as food for some fish like parrotfish and butterfly fish. Reef fish are herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores with specific food requirements in specific habitats. Reef fish aggregate at certain times and locations to breed. This could be due to the physical characteristics of an area such as the presence of offshore currents that enable fertilized eggs to disperse away from areas with many predators. It is very important not to harass or feed fish that are in schools as it disrupts their natural life cycles of feeding and breeding and threatens their very survival. Fed fish are easy targets because they become conditioned to being fed and do not seek shelter when approached by fishermen. 3.8.7 Turtles Two species of turtles are commonly encountered in Palau and use the beaches here for nesting, the Green turtle and the Hawksbill turtle. However, Olive Ridleys, Leatherbacks and Loggerhead turtles occasionally pass through Palau’s waters. Green turtle The green turtle is the most commonly encountered species. Adults have a smooth, high-domed carapace (shell) that is green in color with brown, reddish-brown or black highlights and a white underside. Green turtles feed mainly upon seagrasses and algae and can grow as large as 47 inches long and weigh 400 pounds. They can live to be as old as humans but have to wait 20-35 years to lay their first eggs. Nesting occurs in low numbers throughout Palau but more nests are mainly in the South West Islands with some nesting in Kayangel and other areas of Palau. Hawksbill Turtle The hawksbill turtle nest mainly within the Rock Islands. They grow to about 37 inches and weigh 145 pounds, surviving on a diet of mainly upon sponges as well as jellyfish, shrimp, etc. The Hawksbill is valued for its thick shell, used in Palau for toluk, women’s money and for jewelry, such as earrings and necklaces. 69
- Page 20 and 21: Chapter 2: The Tour Guide 20
- Page 22 and 23: 2.1.3 Roles of the tour guide Apart
- Page 24 and 25: 2.4.1 Snorkel in the Comfort Zone T
- Page 26 and 27: when diving, make sure their buoyan
- Page 28 and 29: • When leading a group you must w
- Page 30 and 31: 2.9 Interesting Natural History Fac
- Page 32 and 33: weak or non-existent currents. Insi
- Page 34 and 35: the cut and drift along the edge of
- Page 36 and 37: Gozan Maru A 305ft long naval cargo
- Page 38 and 39: Chapter 3: Marine Environment 38
- Page 40 and 41: Though most conservation areas are
- Page 42 and 43: 2. Reduce unnecessary burning. Burn
- Page 44 and 45: 3.4 Seagrass Beds Palau has extensi
- Page 46 and 47: Usually, spawning occurs 3-5 days a
- Page 48 and 49: 3.6 Threats to Coral Reefs 3.6.1 Pr
- Page 50 and 51: 3.6.2 Climate Change What is coral
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- Page 54 and 55: glacial period, approximately 20,00
- Page 56 and 57: Lake and lagoon golden jellyfish al
- Page 58 and 59: Jellyfish Lake’s golden jellyfish
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- Page 62 and 63: anemone population has quickly expa
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- Page 66 and 67: 3.8.3 Sharks A lot of bad publicity
- Page 70 and 71: Pat Colin Human Impacts Turtle popu
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- Page 74: Organization and focus Oceana=works
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- Page 79 and 80: 4.2 Palauan Money Udoud According t
- Page 81 and 82: 4.5 Rock Island Art and Historical
- Page 83 and 84: 4.6 Stone Monoliths Stone carvings
- Page 85 and 86: 4.8 Bai A traditional Palauan meeti
- Page 87 and 88: traded metal tools with them, and t
- Page 89 and 90: 5.1 Historical Periods The history
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- Page 93 and 94: Site Name Ngerengchol 5.2 Historica
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- Page 113 and 114: 7.3.2 Personal Flotation Device Eve
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3.8.5 Sea Snakes and Sea Kraits<br />
Although similar to land snakes, sea snakes are well adapted to the marine environment.<br />
They have a paddle-shaped tail that propels them through the water, and their belly<br />
scales are formed into a keel that helps stabilize them when they are swimming.<br />
The species most commonly encountered here is the banded sea krait, Laticauda<br />
colubrina.<br />
Feeding<br />
Sea kraits like sea snakes are among the most venomous snakes in the world<br />
possessing some of the most potent toxins known. Most feed on a variety of fish, with<br />
one species, the turtle-headed sea snake, being specialized in feeding on fish eggs.<br />
Defense<br />
Sea snakes are not aggressive, except during the mating season, when they are<br />
territorial. Fortunately, the fangs of the sea snakes are quite short, with only the large<br />
animals able to penetrate a wetsuit. In addition, sea snakes also have the ability to<br />
withhold venom during a strike. The Palauan sea krait is not aggressive. There are no<br />
reports of injury from a sea krait.<br />
Reproduction<br />
Externally, the female Palauan sea kraits are larger than males. Sea snakes may<br />
produce between two and ten live young, which are born at sea.<br />
Diving<br />
Sea snakes are great divers, being able to dive for over an hour. They only have one<br />
lung which is over two-thirds of their body length. In addition to breathing air, sea snakes<br />
are able to take in about 30% of their oxygen requirement from the water through their<br />
anus and skin. By taking in the extra oxygen they are able to displace the amount of<br />
nitrogen in their blood, which prevents suffering from the bends.<br />
Information Source:<br />
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority REEF MANUAL:<br />
Understanding Essentials of Communication 1999.<br />
Mandy T. Etpison, 2004. Palau-Natural History.<br />
68
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