For years,scuba (水肺) divers have reported unusual attacks from sea snakes.This behavior confused scientists because land snakes prefer to avoid humans,rather than attack them.Why would their cousins in the sea be any different?Now,a study published in Scientific Reports has revealed that the snakes may not be trying to attack humans at all.
The snakes most often reported to"attack"divers are the highly poisonous yellow-green sea snakes.They can grow to be more than six feet long.This can make it particularly frightening for the divers.To investigate
the mystery,the researchers turned to a data set collected nearly 30 years ago.As a PhD student,study author Tim Lynch made a total of 188 scuba dives in the Great Barrier Reef between May of 1994 and July of 1995.During these dives,which lasted approximately 30 minutes,he would record the number of sea snakes that approached him and the details of these encounters.Every time a snake approached,he would move to the seafloor and remain still until the snake left him alone.
Analyzing Lynch's experience led the study authors to conclude that the attacks were a case of what they call"mistaken identity".Most of the approaches took place during the snakes' mating season,and males were more likely to approach during this time.
While it might seem strange,the study authors argue that sea snake evolution (進(jìn)化) makes it possible.Land snakes typically locate females with the help of chemicals deposited (存積) along the ground,but this type of location is more difficult underwater,where the chemicals the females release are not water-soluble,meaning it would be more difficult for males to locate them from a distance.Further,yellow-green sea snakes do not see as well as land snakes,which makes it difficult for them to spot females.
The explanation provided by study author Rick Shine answers the question of what divers should do if they find a sea snake rapidly swimming their way. "Don't try to hit the snake.Just give the snake a chance to figure out who you are and once it does it will likely head off,"says Shine.
(1)What does the underlined part"the mystery"in paragraph 2 refer to?
D
D
A.How long sea snakes can grow.
B.The similarity between sea snakes and land snakes.
C.Which snakes tend to attack humans.
D.The reason for sea snakes attacking divers.
(2)What did the study find out about the sea snakes?
B
B
A.They were trapped in scubas.
B.They mistook Lynch for a female snake.
C.They attacked each other during the mating season.
D.They ran after Lynch continuously during the dives.
(3)What does paragraph 4 mainly discuss?
C
C
A.How sea snakes break rules of evolution.
B.Why sea snakes have poor eyesight.
C.Why sea snakes can't find females easily.
D.When female snakes don't release chemicals.
(4)What should a diver do when a sea snake approaches?
D
D
A.Seek help from the rescue center.
B.Ignore it and keep on swimming.
C.Lead it to the shore in no time.
D.Stay calm and let it check him out.