Wednesday, 30 July 2025 International Friendship Day, officially recognized by the United Nations, is celebrated annually on 30 July to emphasize the importance of friendship in fostering peace, solidarity, and mutual understanding among peoples and cultures across the globe. The day encourages individuals, communities, and nations to build bridges of harmony, especially in times of rising tension, conflict, or division.
The Yellow-Bellied Sea Snake (Hydrophis platurus) is one of the most fascinating and widely distributed sea snakes in the world. Known for its striking coloration and potent venom, this marine reptile is an apex example of aquatic adaptation and evolutionary specialization. Although it is rarely encountered in freshwater environments, it has occasionally been observed in estuaries, including those connected to the Amazon River. Despite its beauty, the Yellow-Bellied Sea Snake is extremely venomous, and encounters with humans—though rare—can be dangerous. Physical Appearance The Yellow-Bellied Sea Snake gets its name from its vivid yellow underbelly, which contrasts sharply with its dark brown or black dorsal side. This color combination is not only striking but serves a functional purpose called countershading, a type of camouflage that helps the snake avoid predators from both above and below. The average adult Yellow-Bellied Sea Snake grows between 60 and 80 centimeters (2 to 2.6 fee...