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"A little of each. We've got a place on the island, and I do some research at the marine labs on St. Thomas." |
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"Then you can probably tell me if we're in danger." |
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"That eel. Spooked the devil out of me. Aren't they poisonous?" |
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Karsky shook his head. "None that I know of. Green morays can give you a nasty bite, though." |
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"Wasn't a moray." Jerry made a circle with his fingers. "Thin and very long." |
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"Could have been a sea snake, but" |
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"Yikes, aren't they deadly?" |
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"There are dozens of species, but only a few are venomous. Was it reddish brown with a black tail?" |
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"Uuh-uh. White and yellow stripes." |
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Karsky's eyebrows arched again. "You sure?" |
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"Absolutely. Bright white and yellow, like . . . I don't know what . . . a braided rope." |
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"H. ornatus," Karsky muttered. |
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"Hydrophis ornatus. The scientific name of a species I'm studying." |
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"What a coincidence, but are we safe?" |
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"Yes, of course. They're venomous but very timid." |
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"The question is, what's it doing in shallow reef rocks. I've only found them in deep seagrass. Sixty feet and more. They never come in." |
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"Well, you can check for yourself." Jerry slipped on his mask and dipped his face in the water. "He's right under those rocks, not too far from the marker." |
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"I'd like to." Karsky put his mask back on. When he noticed Jerry hesitate, he said, "You're going to show me, aren't you?" |
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Jerry looked at Karsky. "It's a deadly one, right?" |
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Karsky raised his mask. "If it's H. ornatus, the venom is quite toxic for humans, but they aren't the least bit aggressive. In fact, quite the contrary. Besides, they have tiny mouths, and their teeth face inward." |
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Jerry nodded. "If you say so," and slowly fitted his mask. |
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