A yellow-bellied sea snake washed ashore at Crystal Cove in Orange County, marking the first confirmed California sighting since 2018. Experts say only six such sightings have been recorded in the state since 1972 and suggest currents or unusually warm ocean conditions likely explain the northerly appearance. The species is a "true" sea snake that typically poses little threat if left alone; authorities urge people not to touch unfamiliar marine animals and to report sightings to wildlife officials.
Venomous Yellow-Bellied Sea Snake Washes Ashore in Orange County — First California Sighting Since 2018
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A venomous yellow-bellied sea snake was found washed up on a Crystal Cove beach in Orange County, California — the first confirmed sighting in the state since 2018. Cellphone video aired by CBS Los Angeles shows the snake on the sand at night while a bystander gently tries to coax it back toward the surf using a palm frond.
Greg Pauly, a reptile specialist at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, told The Los Angeles Times that Orange County had two reports of yellow-bellied sea snakes in 2018 and that only six confirmed sightings of this species have been recorded in California since 1972.
About the Species
The yellow-bellied sea snake is one of roughly 65–75 sea snake species and is a "true" sea snake, meaning it spends its entire life in the ocean. Experts emphasize that these snakes are not normally aggressive toward people when left alone.
“You have to do a lot to get bit by one,” Hayley Crowell, a snake expert at San Diego State University, told The Times.
Why It May Have Appeared So Far North
Pauly said strandings can occur when cold water makes a sea snake lethargic, but he also noted this individual could have been carried north by ocean currents. Crowell described them colorfully as “kind of like floating noodles who got lost,” explaining that when seas are warmer than usual, sea snakes that hunt in open water can drift beyond their normal ranges without immediately becoming incapacitated.
Other Unusual Marine Sightings
Researchers and local fishers have reported a string of atypical marine finds along California shores recently, which may reflect shifting ocean conditions. Examples include:
- A longfinned bigeye caught off the Venice Pier — a species normally found from Baja California to Peru.
- A hammerhead hooked near the Malibu Pier.
- An additional unusual sighting reported off Laguna Beach.
Safety And Reporting
Authorities advise the public not to touch unfamiliar wildlife, especially unfamiliar marine species, and to call wildlife officials if in doubt. Crowell reiterated that people should not approach or handle a sea snake if they do not know what it is.
The BBC has also noted that many dangerous encounters with wild animals are influenced by human behavior. Keeping distance, respecting wildlife, and observing changing environmental conditions can reduce risk for both people and animals.
To verify the Orange County sighting, Pauly is asking anyone with video or photos of the animal to contact the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.
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