Snake or eel???

[elletek]

Does anyone know what this is? Sorry about the photo quality, it was taken about 4:30 pm and was getting a bit dark underwater. I saw this slithering thing and it saw me and started to slither under a rock and I shot this as fast as I could then swam away because I am scared of snakes.

Shot this snorkeling in front of ABR between the massage hut and moonrise, look at the upper half of the photo.
Picasa Web Albums - Elle

This critter was about 2 feet long and 1/2 inch diameter and didn't have any fins... it's movement was snakelike and it was slithering along the rocks. It was basically white with tan colored rings around its circumference.

 

[The Chairman]

I only see a fish... a dusky, I believe!

 

[drrich2]

I don't see it either. Although the coloration is different, let me ask this...would you recognize a sharp-tail eel if you saw one? They are far more snake-like in their movements than moray eels from what I've seen. From what I've seen in Bonaire, compared to morays, sharp-tails are skinnier relative to length, crawl around right on the bottom, and by their movements appear more flexible - all very snake-like to watch.

Richard.

 

[herman]

There are no sea snakes in Mexico so it was def not a snake. I see what looks to be part of a sharptail or goldenspotted eel in the center of the left hand side of the photo. Did it look like the one in the photo I attached?? That is a sharptail eel. They are very common and are often seen during the day. In any case there is nothing to fear from the eel or a snake for that matter. Leave them alone and they will do the same.

 

[elletek]

Thank you for your comments! Good to know that there are no seasnakes in Mexico cos that scared the ell out of me! My photo came out very dark and the coloring is off, the sun was setting... I know it's difficult to see.

Herman, it did look similar to your attachment except it didn't have spots. It was white with thin tan (or light brown) rings around it, skinny and long, perhaps a juvenile.

 

[herman]

There are a bunch of different varities and color variations of.....kinda hate to use the family name around you ....snake eels . They all look similar, long, slim and work around the coral in a snakelike manner. I have photographed a bunch of them close up and have yet to have them react in any way other than to totally ignore me. Pulling their tail might get a reaction but I don't plan to try that. Like all wildlife, just leave it alone and it will leave you alone. There is no need to fear it.

 

[Jax]

There are no sea snakes in Mexico so it was def not a snake. I see what looks to be part of a sharptail or goldenspotted eel in the center of the left hand side of the photo. Did it look like the one in the photo I attached?? That is a sharptail eel. They are very common and are often seen during the day. In any case there is nothing to fear from the eel or a snake for that matter. Leave them alone and they will do the same.

Herman, is that statement also true on the western coast of Mexico?

 

[herman]

To my knowledge, sea snakes only exist in the south pacific. A land snake or a freshwater aquatic snake could get into the ocean and be seen swimming there but that is not a "sea snake". In any case, if you don't mess with them, they will not bother you....coming from someone who has on many occasions messed with land snakes. Freshwater aquatic snakes on the other hand have too bad a disposition for me handle, none of them seem to be having a good day and are always in a bad mood. Been bitten several times but always after I started it.

 

[Jax]

To my knowledge, sea snakes only exist in the south pacific. A land snake or a freshwater aquatic snake could get into the ocean and be seen swimming there but that is not a "sea snake". In any case, if you don't mess with them, they will not bother you....coming from someone who has on many occasions messed with land snakes. Freshwater aquatic snakes on the other hand have too bad a disposition for me handle, none of them seem to be having a good day and are always in a bad mood. Been bitten several times but always after I started it.

Thank you!

 

[elletek]

To my knowledge, sea snakes only exist in the south pacific. A land snake or a freshwater aquatic snake could get into the ocean and be seen swimming there but that is not a "sea snake". In any case, if you don't mess with them, they will not bother you....coming from someone who has on many occasions messed with land snakes. Freshwater aquatic snakes on the other hand have too bad a disposition for me handle, none of them seem to be having a good day and are always in a bad mood. Been bitten several times but always after I started it.

Tnx Herman! I never touch any type of wildlife or sealife. As I grew up in Texas I have developed a deep fear of any snake. They were everywhere, couldn't walk out the door without a gun or a shovel to beat them to death. We had giant water moccasins in the creek by my house. They were easily 20 inches or more around and could stretch across a two-lane road, I'm guessing 15 - 25 ft in length. That would really mess up your car if you ran over it! aarrgghh There's really not much I hate in this world, but snakes... and plastic wrap.