What is the current suggested status of H. platurus observations along the coast of Southern California?
Answer
Likely locally extirpated
While records confirm that the Yellow-Bellied Sea Snake was historically present in areas like the Southern California Bight, contemporary observations have become extremely rare. This significant decline in confirmed sightings has led expert consensus to suggest that the species is now likely locally extirpated from that region, meaning local populations have died out, even if individuals might occasionally drift northwards. This shift highlights that environmental conditions necessary for sustaining a stable population, which are present further south, are not being maintained consistently along the northern edges of its historical range.
Related Questions
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