Banded Sea Krait Laticauda colubrina
The banded sea krait, also known as the yellow-lipped sea krait or colubrine sea krait, is a highly venomous snake found in tropical Indo-Pacific waters. Despite its potent neurotoxic venom, which it uses to prey on eels and small fish underwater, this species is not typically aggressive toward humans unless threatened. These snakes frequently come ashore to rest, digest their meals, and reproduce.
Diet: A skilled predator, the banded sea krait specializes in weaving through nooks and crevices to hunt eels and small fish. Once it has located its prey, it strikes quickly, delivering a dose of neurotoxic venom that paralyzes its victim before consuming it whole. Predators of the sea krait include sea birds, sharks, and some bony fishes. Male and female kraits exhibit sexual dimorphism when hunting. Females, being larger, tend to hunt in deeper waters and focus on catching a single large prey, whereas males hunt in shallower waters and often capture multiple small moray eels. After hunting, they return to land to digest their meals.
Size: Male: Up to 75cm; Female: Up to 128cm
Distribution: Due to its semi-aquatic nature, the banded sea krait often comes into contact with humans. However, encounters are usually peaceful unless the snake feels provoked or threatened. It is often found in tropical Indo-Pacific oceanic waters.
