Snakes found in the generally too cool waters surrounding New Zealand are categorized as what type of visitor?
Answer
vagrant
When a Yellow-Bellied Sea Snake is encountered in waters that are generally too cool for long-term survival and sustained population establishment, such as those surrounding New Zealand, the individual is classified as a 'vagrant.' A vagrant refers to an organism that has been carried or blown far outside its normal, viable distribution limits, usually due to unusual or powerful oceanic currents or severe weather systems. These rare sightings are significant because they demonstrate the species’ immense capacity for long-distance dispersal, even though the cooler environment prevents them from establishing permanent residency.
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