Olive Sea Snake, a Serpent with a 'Second Eye' on its Tail, Found in Indonesian Waters
Technology

Olive Sea Snake, a Serpent with a 'Second Eye' on its Tail, Found in Indonesian Waters

The olive sea snake (Aipysurus laevis), found in Indo-Pacific waters including Indonesia, possesses a unique ability to detect light through its tail tip, a trait known as dermal phototaxis. This 'second eye' functions via specialized skin cells, distinct from its actual eyes, and is also observed in two other sea snake species, suggesting an evolutionary adaptation within the Aipysurus genus.

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