World News for Students of English

19-09-2024 15:00

Researchers from three Australian universities working on the southern Great Barrier Reef found that male snakes approached divers, coiled around their fins, and struck at camera reflections.

The large olive sea snakes are especially active in the southern winter during breeding season. Divers are at risk of being bitten by the sexually aroused snakes who mistake the divers for their potential mates. The stakes are very high because the snakes have the capacity to bite humans with a deadly venom.

The olive sea snake is the most common sea snake along the northern coast of Australia. Growing to lengths of over two meters, this species is well adapted to a life on coral reefs. It’s a true snake, and, like all reptiles, it breathes air. However, unlike the sea turtles, crocodiles, and other marine reptiles, which must nest on shore, the snake’s entire life occurs in the ocean.

Difficult words: aroused (excited), the stakes are high (there is a lot of risk), venom (a poisonous substance which animals such as snakes or spiders inject into their prey), reptile (a cold-blooded animal like a snake, lizard, or crocodile).

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