A beachgoer stumbled across a highly venomous sea snake while walking on a Queensland beach this morning, sparking a warning from a seasoned catcher.
The charcoal and white-coloured Stokes's sea snake washed up on Sunshine Beach, in Noosa, and measured between 1.2 to 1.3 metres
Stuart McKenzie from Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers 24/7 said he was surprised by the reptile's size.
"It was pretty big and pretty thick," he told 9News.com.au, before issuing a message.
"It's important for people not to handle sea snakes they find washed ashore as often they are ill and highly venomous."
The sea snake found this morning had a big open wound on its side, McKenzie said.
"It's important for people not to handle sea snakes they find washed ashore as often they are ill and highly venomous."
The sea snake found this morning had a big open wound on its side, McKenzie said.
The world's deadliest, most terrifying, snakes
"It may have been attacked or hit by a boat.
"We took it to Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital where it's receiving treatment."
According to the Australian Government's Species Profile and Threats Database (SPRAT), "the Stokes' sea snake is amongst the largest and bulkiest of all sea snakes".
"Stokes' Seasnake is aggressive and unprovoked attacks have been reported on divers and bathers," it added.
The species ranges from Western Australia's north-west corner, all the way through the Top End, to Brisbane.
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