The snake was found by Smithtown resident Ross Holborow and is almost two metres long. 

The area where the snake was found – the breakout – the beach access was washed away during the last storm event a month ago and there is now a three metre vertical drop on the ocean side.

“We drove to the Breakout and as I walked around the barrier I saw the apparently dead sea snake curled up in the grass. It was almost two metres long,” Mr Holborow said. 

“How this one got from the ocean, across the sandhills and into the grass is the mystery.”

Mr Holborow believes it is a rare Beaked Sea Snake but Zoologist Scott Castle said judging by the photo, it could be a number of species. 

“It is difficult to ID many animals from photos, without having them in hand,” he said.

“That said, it could be a Beaked Snake Snake as suggested, however they occur in sub-tropical and tropical regions. 

“It looks to be a Stokes' Sea Snake, Astrotia stokesii, which occur in these waters; or possibly an Olive-headed Sea Snake, Disteira major, which prefer warmer water, but are sometimes pulled into cold water in which they can't survive.”

Mr Castle said sea snakes don’t come onto land so “this was most probably washed up in the storm or flushed out of Korogoro Creek.”

Even though the snake is dead he said it can still be deadly and the best thing to do is not touch it. 

“It’s important to note that these three species are dangerously venomous and they remain that way even when they're dead,” he said. 

“Therefore, members of the public should not approach too closely and not handle it even if it's dead. 

“They should immediately report the animal to FAWNA (6581 4141) in this region, who will appoint a local expert to advise or attend.”

The snake, which has an evident lump in its body, suggests it could have eaten something shortly before its death. 

“The lump in the body may be digesting food (they mostly eat fish) or a foreign object that may or may not have contributed to its death,” Mr Castle said.

“Although, it looks a little low in the body and could be a belly full of live (or dead) young. Sea snakes don't lay eggs, they give birth to live young in the water (although they DO breath air). 

“This is why it is important to advise FAWNA of dead or injured wildlife, because young may still need attention.”