Latin name

Laticauda laticaudata

Other names

Blue-banded sea krait, common sea krait

Identification

Abdominal scales large, ranging from one-third to more than one-half of body width; nostrils on sides; 19 longitudinal rows of scales on midbody; no azygous prefrontal shield; rostral shield undivided; ventral scales 225-243; subcaudal scales 38-47 in males and 30-35 in females. 

Fish colouring

Upper lip is dark brown. Has dark blue and black stripes all over the body, fading to pale yellow or cream on the belly and face.

Distribution

This species is found in the Indian and Western Pacific Oceans: in the Bay of Bengal (Bangladesh, East India, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand), off the coasts of the Malay Peninsula, Indonesia, Timor-Leste, New Guinea, Philippines, Fujian and Taiwan, Japan, Polynesia, Melanesia, Solomon Islands, Fiji, New Caledonia, Palau, Vanuatu and Australia (Queensland).

Habitat

This snake is found in large numbers on coral reefs and among the debris in the surf. It does not swim far from the shore and is often found on land.

Size

Total body length: males 910 mm, females 1070 mm; tail length: males 110 mm, females 110 mm. 

Behavior

They feed on reefs and return to land to digest their prey, mate, and lay eggs. Snakes experience dramatic temperature changes as they leave the water for the land.

Food and feeding habits

They prey primarily on eels, but also hunt other small fish. Most foraging trips take place within a few miles of their home islands, but they have been recorded venturing further afield.

Reproduction

Oviparous, females (at least 88 cm long) lay 1 to 7 eggs in sheltered crevices in the coastal zone from January to March. Juveniles hatch after about 3-4 months of incubation, measuring about 38 cm long and weighing 13 grams. Sexual maturity occurs at the age of 1.5-2.5 years.

Relationship with a person

They are highly venomous but not aggressive. They will only bite in self-defense.