Читать книгу Diving Indonesia Periplus Adventure Guid онлайн

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The yellow -bellied sea snake (Pelamis platurus) is the most numerous reptile on earth. This colorful animal is so completely adapted to anaquatic life that if washed ashore, it will die. It cannot even crawl back to the water.

Crocodiles. One marine reptile that is truly dangerous is the salt water crocodile (Crocodylus porosus). These monsters can grow to many meters in length, although real giants are very rare these days. Fortunately for divers they usually live in murky estuarine areas, not on coral reefs. Saltwater crocodiles are found in Irian Jaya, and in scattered locations in Maluku.

Marine Mammals

While common enough in Indonesian waters, sea mammals are rarely seen while diving, and swimming with whales or dolphins is a rare occasion indeed for a diver.

Dolphins. Schools of dolphins are a frequent sight while traveling out to dive sites by boat. Sometimes their "whistling" can be heard during a dive (a sound that is sometimes uncannily like a leaking air cylinder) but they will normally stay well beyond the range of visibility. The best way to see them underwater is to snorkel from the dive boat when a school is encountered in deep water. Usually they will move away, but you could get lucky.