Sea Krait
Laticauda colubrina
A banded, amphibious sea snake that comes ashore to rest, digest, and lay eggs, unlike most fully marine sea snakes.
- Venomous?
- Venomous
- Adult length
- 1.0-1.5 m (3.3-5 ft)
- Range
- Indo-Pacific coastal waters and islands
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Overview
Sea kraits are a distinct group of marine elapids that retain strong ties to land, unlike true sea snakes which spend their entire lives at sea. They forage in coral reefs and coastal waters but return to rocky shores and islands to rest, digest food, and reproduce.
The banded sea krait is widespread across the Indo-Pacific and is a familiar sight around tropical island shorelines.
How to identify it
- Bold black bands alternating with pale blue-gray or white bands encircling the body
- Distinctive yellow snout and lips, giving rise to the common name
- Paddle-shaped, flattened tail for swimming
- Cylindrical body, less flattened than true sea snakes
- Distinguished from true sea snakes by retaining wide ventral scales suited for movement on land
Habitat & range
Found in shallow coastal waters, coral reefs, and rocky shorelines throughout the tropical Indo-Pacific, coming ashore on beaches and rock crevices of islands to rest and lay eggs.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Nocturnal hunter, foraging in reef crevices primarily for eels and small fish. Comes ashore regularly, unlike most sea snakes, and is egg-laying rather than live-bearing, depositing eggs on land. Generally docile and slow to bite.
Frequently asked questions
Do sea kraits come on land?
Yes, unlike true sea snakes they regularly come ashore to rest, digest food, and lay eggs.
How venomous are sea kraits?
Their venom is highly potent, but they are generally docile and bites are rare.
What do they eat?
Mainly eels and small reef fish, hunted in crevices among coral and rocks.
How do sea kraits reproduce?
They lay eggs on land, unlike most sea snakes which give birth to live young at sea.
Sea Krait guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Sea Krait.
Sea Krait identified by the community
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