Meet the Museum: Secret Lives of Marine Reptiles

Of the more than 12,500 species of reptiles on Earth, fewer than 100 made the extraordinary evolutionary journey back to the sea.

Today, marine turtles, sea snakes, sea kraits, marine iguanas and even the mighty saltwater crocodile inhabit our oceans, estuaries and remote tropical islands across the world. Yet, despite their success, many marine reptiles remain among the least studied reptiles on the planet. 

Hidden away, their secret lives are nothing short of remarkable! Some hunt cooperatively in groups, some migrate thousands of kilometres across open oceans, some dive deep into the dark zones of the sea and some are among the most devoted mothers in the animal kingdom. 

Taking a peek into their fascinating worlds, this talk draws on firsthand field experiences from across the tropics, looking at giant crocodiles in the Sundarbans, Komodo dragons in Indonesia, sea kraits off Lombok and endangered sea snakes and marine turtles in Western Australia's own waters.

Combining firsthand stories, cutting-edge science and stunning imagery, this is your chance to explore the hidden side of reptiles that few people ever get to see.

Meet the Speaker

Dr. Ru Somaweera

Dr Ru Somaweera is a herpetologist and behavioural ecologist with nearly two decades of experience spanning scientific research, environmental consultancy and science communication.

His work explores how reptiles respond to global environmental change, with a focus on translating scientific knowledge into practical conservation and management outcomes. Over the past decade, Ru has worked extensively with sea snakes, marine turtles and saltwater crocodiles across tropical northern Western Australia.

Ru has held senior technical and leadership roles with global environmental consultancy firms, leading multidisciplinary projects across northern Australia, South and Southeast Asia, and southern Africa.

He is currently an Adjunct Associate Professor at Murdoch University and contributes to international conservation initiatives through the IUCN and UN-linked programs.

Meet the Museum

Are you curious about the fascinating world behind the scenes at the Museum? This monthly program delves into the less visible parts of the Museum’s work, as scientists, researchers, historians and curators share their expertise and passions. Discover more talks at the Museum.  

Access information

WA Museum Boola Bardip is a fully accessible venue. 

If you're attending this event and would like to request Auslan interpretation please contact reception@museum.wa.gov.au  or call 1300 134 081 a minimum of five working days before the event to allow time for us to make these arrangements.