In the seas of India you can find magnificent creatures and underwater activities.

Found in coastal areas, the file snake, Achrochordus granulatus, is a non-venomous sea snake and an exception to my expectations that sea snakes are usually venomous -- the reason I consider it a friendly inhabitant of the sea!

As the file snake is exceptional, it has a beautiful grey or black body with white or yellow bands patched, with its dark grey head and white spots embroiderd on it. This species is completely aquatic and nearly helpless on land.

The most interesting thing is that this species varies between sexes in feeding habits, the males actively hunt prey whereas the females sit and wait as ambush predators. The maximum length of the file snake is 120 cm, and it is viviparous by nature. The young snakes have distinct white bands.

I have encountered this beauty only once during my morning walk at beach in Mumbai. It was unable to move on dry sand so I just picked it up, handled it for a minute or two, and released it in the sea. One of the memorable morning walks of my life.

Photo: Riyaz Khoja