We've talked about some pretty incredible snakes here on FEARNET over the years, from snakes that fly to snakes that moonlight as massage therapists. While this next one doesn't have the ability to soar like a bird, nor would I want it anywhere near a massage parlor, it's nevertheless armed with a pretty incredible super power, allowing it to survive without water for extended periods of time. Beat that, Superman!
Discovery reports that scientists recently discovered a new species of sea snake dubbed Hydrophis platurus (above), which literally becomes dehydrated for several months, before reconstituting itself after heavy rainfall. The yellow-bellied snakes live in the salty waters of the eastern Pacific Ocean, and since they're unable to drink saltwater, they instead wait for freshwater to accumulate on the surface of the ocean, coming to the surface after heavy rainfalls to lap it up - and once again become properly hydrated.
Not surprisingly, these incredibly unique snakes are in danger of extinction in some areas, where prolonged periods of drought push them well past their survival point. "We cannot do anything about this except to enact measures to combat climatic changes attributable to human enhancement (such as when we burn fossil fuels)," said Harvey Lillywhite, lead author of the study that revealed these findings.
We're pulling for you, sea snakes, because you're pretty damn impressive!