El Niño heat may bring deadly yellow-bellied sea snakes to California shores
Scientists warn that warming Pacific waters from the current El Niño could carry the highly venomous yellow-bellied sea snake into Southern California beaches.
The ongoing El Niño event is raising Pacific sea surface temperatures, prompting scientists to predict that the yellow-bellied sea snake could appear off Southern California’s coast. This fully aquatic reptile, distinguished by a dark back and bright yellow belly, carries venom that combines neurotoxins and myotoxins strong enough to be fatal. Historically confined to warm tropical waters, the species has been recorded only five times in the area since 1972, with a 2018 sighting in Newport Beach occurring outside a previous El Niño period.
Douglas McCauley of the Benioff Ocean Initiative at UC Santa Barbara noted that such “oddities” may become temporary fixtures during the heated conditions. The region is simultaneously experiencing a severe heat wave, with temperatures reaching 95-102 °F, which could further alter marine ecosystems. Recent unusual sightings also include a rare hammerhead shark near Malibu Pier, underscoring the broader impact of shifting oceanic patterns.
Why it matters
Rising sea temperatures could introduce deadly marine species to populated coastlines, posing new public-health risks.
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