Abu Dhabi beachgoers cautioned against poisonous sea snakes

Sea snakes are common in the UAE between November and February

Yellow-bellied sea snake, Pelamis platurus, is found in the UAE's waters. Alamy

Beachgoers in a district of Abu Dhabi have been told to look out for poisonous sea snakes this winter.

Notices about the reptiles, prepared by Environment Agency Abu Dhabi, were distributed to homes in the St Regis Saadiyat area this week.

It cautioned against handling snakes, which will become more commonly seen over the next few months, because their bites can be fatal.

Sea snakes prefer cooler temperatures of around 22°C. During the UAE's colder months, between November and February, they move to shallow coastal waters to feed on small fish and mate.

They retreat into deeper water as temperatures rise again and for the duration of the summer.

The notice advised beachgoers to keep away from stranded sea snakes on the shore and to avoid handling them – even if they look dead as they could just be "sluggish".

All sea snakes are poisonous but they are considered mild tempered and are generally reluctant to bite. They only attack in self-defence when they feel scared and will not typically approach swimmers.

Of the roughly 70 known species of sea snake, five or six live in the UAE's waters. They grow up to two metres long and are usually found near coral, attracted by the abundance of food.

The most common sea snakes in the UAE are the Arabian Gulf sea snake, Yellow-bellied sea snake and Ornate reef sea snake.

Should someone be bitten, they would need to get to a hospital as quickly as possible. Their bites are usually felt with small but distinct teeth marks visible. Pain at the bite site is not a major feature, nor is swelling, the notice said.

Sea snakes rarely deposit venom when they bite but, if they do, it can damage the nervous system and stop blood from clotting properly.

It can also have a range of other unwelcome effects such as nausea, vomiting, thickening of the tongue and numbness. On very rare occasions, people will die.

The notice was distributed as residents prepare for a three-day weekend thanks to a public holiday on Thursday to mark Prophet Mohammed's birthday.

Poisonous creatures in the UAE