Never get in the way of an olive sea snake during breeding season.

Researchers from three Australian universities working on the southern Great Barrier Reef found that the snakes - particularly males - approached divers, coiled around fins, struck at camera reflections, and made fast, jerky movements during breeding season.

The acts of aggression are likely because of ‘mistaken identity during sexual interactions’, the scientists wrote in their new study - adding that the snakes, it seems, may believe divers are rivals or potential mates.

And because large olive sea snakes have the capacity to bite human victims and pack a deadly venom, the stakes for divers are very high.

Video credit: Reef Life Survey via Guardian Australia