‘Lucky’ the sea snake slithers into Tasmanian waters

A sea snake aptly named “Lucky” has survived a turbulent trip from the mainland, washing up on a popular Tassie beach. SEE PICTURES >>

A sea snake aptly named “Lucky” has survived a turbulent trip from the mainland, washing up on a popular Tasmanian beach on Monday.

Lucky the snake slithered ashore on the morning of Valentine’s Day along the romantic Bay of Fires coastline.

A family out for a walk along the gleaming white beach noticed the stark black creature and called Reptile Rescue snake catcher Chris Daly for help.

"Lucky" the sea snake was displaced from the mainland in a storm, washing up at Bay of Fires on Monday. Picture: Tamsyn McLennan.

“When they described the snake I kind of put two and two together and was pretty confident it was a sea snake,” Mr Daly said.

It was a rare occurrence, but Mr Daly had previously caught a couple of yellow bellied sea snakes at the East Coast over the years.

“Usually we seem to find when there’s been a bit of a storm up north we seem to get a couple of sea snakes washed up in the current,” he said.

Mr Daly called Reptile Rescue ranger Tamsyn McLennan in the east to take the snake to safety.

Chris Daly of Reptile Rescue with a sea snake that was removed from Bay of Fires and will be rehomed in Queensland. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“A sea snake is very similar to a fish – when it’s outside water the sun will cook it,” he said.

“Sea snakes live in the sea but they do come on land, either for one sunbake or to breed, but they’re an aquatic animal. They’re fish-eaters and they have a paddle-shaped tail.”

Mr Daly has been taking care of the “absolutely beautiful” snake over the public holiday at his home in Claremont.

He described Lucky as a “spectacular creature with a personality to match”.

"Lucky" the sea snake will be sent back to the mainland after a storm saw the reptile cross the Bass Strait and wash up at Bay of Fires on Monday. Picture: Chris Daly.

Lucky will be repatriated to Queensland on Tuesday through collaborative efforts between Mr Daly and the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania.

Mr Daly said the rangers named the snake Lucky because it survived a long trip across the Bass Strait instead of meeting an ill fate like several castaway sea snakes before it.

“The ones you don’t find, they perish on the sand,” he said.

"Lucky" the sea snake will be sent back to the mainland after a storm saw the reptile cross the Bass Strait and wash up at Bay of Fires on Monday. Picture: Chris Daly.

Sea snakes have been turning up more commonly in Tasmania amid warmer water temperatures.

“They’re a highly venomous snake, but they’re quite reluctant to bite unless you’re really hurting them,” Mr Daly said.

Anyone who finds a sea snake should call Reptile Rescue straight away on 0499 116 690.

Mr Daly recommended throwing a wet towel or T-shirt onto the sea snake if it is laying outside water in the sun.