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Hawaii Sea Snake While Snorkeling?

by susan
(south carolina)

Sea Snake? (Snowflake Eel)

Sea Snake? (Snowflake Eel)

I got this picture by accident as I was trying to change the setting on my camera and clear my mask so I could see. Do you have any idea if this is a snake and if so what kind? I almost had a heart attack when I saw it knowing I had been that close to ? and didn't know it.

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Hawaii Sea Snake While Snorkeling?

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Feb 02, 2010
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It's a Snowflake Eel
by: Galen & Nicole

Susan, I cropped your picture a little and posted it with your question.

I am pretty sure that the creature in your accidental picture is a fairly rare Snowflake Eel. They are very gentle and nothing to be worried about.

How fun is it that you accidentally got that picture without even knowing the eel was below you? That must have been a real surprise when you viewed your pictures later.

Feb 03, 2010
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Thanks
by: Susan

Thank you so much for your comment. That does look like the same pattern as in the picture. I have wondered about that since last September, so that's one less thing to strain my brain. I have been fortunate to see lots of things that others said were rare. I wasn't snorkeling, but whale watching and instead of a whale we came upon a whale shark. Those are the coolest animals I have ever seen and so goofy. I just wish I'd had my bathing suit on and we could have swam with it. I'll send pictures of it also. Thanks again though for your help and I really like the website since I don't dive, so I'll probably be a regular.

Jul 09, 2010
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Snowflake Eel
by: Tim

That does definitely look like a Snowflake. We have seen several in the Hawaiian Islands. They are fairly small as morays go. Less than 30 inches. And they don't have the nasty looking teeth that some morays have. Personally I think there quite cute. Unlike some of their toothy and larger cousins.

May 08, 2011
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Snowflake Eel
by: Bob

I have a few pictures the same as this. I was also wondering what I had taken a picture of. I did not know if this was a snake or eel. Thanks for clarifying for me. My pictures were taken in Hanauma Bay on Oahu, Hawaii.

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