This is the tiny island of GATO. One of 3 islands from the Philippines where seasnakes have there homenests. There is a big cave with underwatercave. There are seasnakes (very poisonous), lots of colored fishes (national park) but also sharks who are sleeping during the day about 30 mtrs deep on the ground of the sea. GATO is 83 meters high and you can see it at about 20 kilometers distance and more. It´s about 15 kilometers from Malapascua.

Entering the cave of GATO with our outriggerboat. It is hightide, so it is very difficult to come in.

We´ve got it. Boat is inside the cave. Now, everybody who wants to, can go snorkeling. But be careful, seasnakes are very poisonous.

Wonderful, you feel just like inside of a church. The water glowing and sparkling like a blue diamond.
Yes after snorkeling a while,  we saw those yellow/black colored seasnakes. Don´t try to touch them.

Wildlife Sanctuary Guards are here on the Island on this maisonette, to watch and register people coming around.

SEA SNAKES

Return to the Sea

Some sea animals are derived from air-breathing ancestors that lived and evolved on land before returning to the sea to exploit marine habitats and food sources. The reptiles, mammals, and birds all have representatives that have re-invaded the sea. Their bodies show modifications that better suit them to life in the marine environment: (1) streamlined body to facilitate movement through the water; (2) limbs or tails modified to paddle-like shapes for propulsion; (3) nostrils that are valved and placed high on the snout or head to facilitate breathing at the surface; (4) modifications in lung capacity and circulation to accommodate diving; (5) mechanisms for eliminating excess salt (either through urine production or by special salt-excreting glands).

Sea snakes provide an example of an animal group, considered by some to be at least partially pre-adapted for life in the water, that has recolonized the ocean in fairly recent geological time. The snake family Hydrophidae includes about 50 species, all are sea dwellers and venomous (their closest land relatives are the deadly cobras, kraits, and mambas). Sea snakes are found in the warm waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. They are usually abundant in shallow coastal waters, some species enter freshwater streams, and one species is wholly pelagic. A few are amphibious, venturing ashore to lay their eggs, but most live completely at sea. Modifications that make them well suited to life in the marine environment prevent them from returning permanently to land.

• How Do You Avoid Snakebites?
• If Bitten What Next?
• Treatments

THE POISONOUS SNAKES OF ISLA DE GATO

Poisonous snakes, locally called balingkasaw, are gathered for their skins, which are used to make bags and shoes in Danao City, and their meat, which the Chinese value as an aphrodisiac. In 1933, two Japanese fishermen discovered a breeding ground of sea snakes around the tiny Isla de Gato ("Cat island"), reached by banca from Tapilon, Maya or Malapascua Island. They encouraged the locals to set up an industry, teaching them how to catch the snakes, process the skins, and even how to deal with snake bites.

The snakes are found in the caves and crevices of Gato's rocky surrounding seabed year-round, but their breeding season is MarchSeptember. The young are born after three months' incubation and then migrate to coral reefs in the open sea, where they prey on reef fish and eels. The ~catchman' uses his bare hands to grab each snake by the neck and tail, ties two or three snakes together with a motorcycle inner tube, and places them in a sack.

I Overexploitation has greatly reduced their numbers. A diver today will probably take only about a dozen snakes a night, compared to hundreds in the past. Landing on Gato Islet is almost impossible, due to the undercutting of its sides by wave action.