Banded Sea Krait
Laticauda colubrina
A distinctive black-and-pale banded sea snake that comes ashore to rest, digest, and lay eggs, unlike fully aquatic sea snakes.
- Venomous?
- Venomous
- Adult length
- 1-1.5 m (3.3-5 ft)
- Range
- Indo-Pacific, from India to Australia and Pacific islands
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Overview
The Banded Sea Krait is one of the amphibious sea snakes, splitting time between marine hunting grounds and terrestrial coastlines. Unlike true sea snakes, it retains broad belly scales that let it move on land with relative ease.
Its venom is potent, but the species is generally docile and bites on humans are rare.
How to identify it
- Bold black bands alternating with pale blue-gray or white bands encircling the body
- Distinctive yellow upper lip, giving rise to its common name
- Paddle-shaped, flattened tail for swimming
- Broad ventral scales allow limited terrestrial locomotion
- Round pupils
- Distinguished from true sea snakes by its ability to move on land and lay eggs on shore
Habitat & range
Inhabits coral reefs, rocky shorelines, and coastal waters across the Indo-Pacific, coming ashore on beaches, sea caves, and rocky islets to rest and reproduce.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Forages mainly at night in shallow reef waters, feeding largely on eels. Comes ashore regularly to digest food, shed skin, and lay eggs, unlike fully marine sea snakes. Generally slow-moving and non-aggressive toward humans.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Banded Sea Krait venomous?
Yes, it possesses potent venom, though it is generally docile and rarely bites people.
Can it move on land?
Yes, unlike many sea snakes, it has broad belly scales that allow it to come ashore and move about on beaches and rocks.
What does it eat?
Primarily eels, which it hunts in reef crevices.
Does it lay eggs?
Yes, unusually for a sea snake, it lays eggs on land rather than giving live birth at sea.
Banded Sea Krait guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Banded Sea Krait.
