The clip, shared on Instagram by Isaac Fenech, shows the man on a boat when an olive sea snake, scientifically known as Aipysurus laevis, approaches. Instead of keeping a safe distance, he is seen reaching out and touching the snake, describing it as “so soft.” Moments after being touched, the snake reacts by hissing, prompting the man to pull back. The reptile then swims away, ending the brief encounter.
Olive sea snakes are considered among the most venomous marine reptiles. While they are generally not aggressive, experts say they can bite if threatened or handled, and their venom can be extremely dangerous. The video quickly gained traction online, with users reacting to the man’s behaviour. People online had mixed reactions. Some called the behaviour reckless, while others made light of it, jokingly calling the snake a “salty danger noodle.”
It’s also not entirely clear where or when the video was filmed, as those details haven’t been independently confirmed. Nevertheless, such incidents are not uncommon in Australia, where close interactions with wildlife usually go viral. Still, there is consensus among experts on what to do in such situations: stay away from wildlife, particularly if it is venomous.
If the animal appears friendly, one should not assume it will stay that way. The slightest provocation may trigger a defensive response. While sea snakes hardly bite humans, any attack by them demands medical intervention. Videos like this keep popping up online, and they usually spark the same debate about where curiosity ends and risk begins.
In this case, no one was hurt. But it’s still a reminder that just because something looks harmless in the moment doesn’t mean it actually is, especially out in open water where you can’t predict how an animal will respond.
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