Sea Snakes Are Attacking Humans Because They're Horny, Scientists Claim

Are sea snakes attacking human beings because they're horny? Turns out, the answer to this may be yes.

As reports of sea snakes slithering aggressively towards human beings become more common, scientists believe the creatures may be trying to mate with their human counterparts.

What do scientists believe sea snakes want?

A fresh study, led by Tim Lynch, a senior researcher at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation in Australia claims that male sea snakes are most probably just looking to mate and are not trying to hurt humans.

But a word of advice if you live near the ocean - do not move if a sea snake charges at you underwater aggressively, for it'll soon realise that mating with humans isn't possible and move on.

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Lynch took into account his 158 encounters with olive sea snakes (Aipysurus laevis) in the Great Barrier Reef.

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During their study, Lynch & co. found that most acts of aggression from sea snakes were committed by males during the breeding season. The study calls it a "mistaken identity during sexual interactions".

Published on Thursday in Scientific Reports, the study marks the first evidence on attacks by sea snakes.

The researchers recorded the details between 1994-95 but are publishing the results just now. According to Vice, the on-going COVID-19 pandemic inspired Lynch to pursue the cause again.

The study is extremely important, for attacks by sea snakes are very rare but can be very fatal as some of the snake varieties are truly lethal, including the olive sea snakes studied by Lynch and his team.

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Why are sea snakes attacking human beings?

The authors of the study noted how unprovoked acts of aggression by sea snakes are actually very rare and then set out to understand its cause.

Most acts of aggression against humans took place between May and August which is the breeding season for sea snakes.

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The study noted how more males than females approached humans and displayed mating behaviours.

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These include circling around the limb of a diver. It's entirely possible that sea snakes that are numbed by their arousal mistook human divers as a another snake.

They usually see female snakes as potential mates and males ones as rivals, which could explain some of the unwarranted attacks. Seems too far-fetched for you? Scientists know.

Humans and snakes are not the same, and one would expect the species to be aware of this reality too.

But based on their behavioural characteristics, it seems this is the most plausible explanation for unprovoked aggression.

The study adds how sea snakes may possess inferior eyesight, when compared to land snakes.