Rare yellow-bellied sea snake spotted on Southern California beach

While visiting Crystal Cove in Orange County, Jackie Aguilar captured video of a yellow-bellied sea snake on the sand, an event not documented in the county since 2018. She identified the reptile as a highly venomous species, a determination later verified by marine naturalist Chad Steffen, who explained that the snakes are sluggish out of water and not prone to aggression. This is only the sixth recorded instance of the snake in California since 1972.

Scientists attribute the northward movement to warm ocean temperatures associated with one outlet El Niño pattern, which have also been expected to bring other tropical species such as hammerhead sharks to the region. Douglas McCauley of the Benioff Ocean Initiative warned that such warm waters could produce more unusual sightings. After the encounter, the snake returned to the sea, and Aguilar said she will avoid entering the water for now.