The Yellow-lipped Sea Krait, Laticauda colubrina, is a strikingly patterned marine snake found throughout the tropical Indo-Pacific region, from Southeast Asia to the islands of the western Pacific. It is easily recognized by its bluish-gray body with distinct black bands and a yellow snout and lips. Adults typically measure 1–1.5 meters in length. Unlike fully aquatic sea snakes, this species is amphibious, spending much of its time in the ocean hunting for eels and small fish, but coming ashore to rest, digest food, and lay eggs. It is an excellent swimmer and can remain submerged for extended periods while foraging among coral reefs.
Yellow-lipped Sea Krait
Laticauda colubrina
☠️ Highly venomous
Description
Venomous?
Highly venomous. The venom of Laticauda colubrina is neurotoxic and potent, used to quickly immobilize prey. However, the species is not aggressive and bites are extremely rare.
A Danger to Humans?
Generally docile and non-aggressive toward humans. It will usually flee if disturbed. Although its venom is dangerous, the snake’s small mouth and calm temperament make accidental envenomation highly unlikely. Caution should still be exercised when handling or encountering this species in the wild.
Population Size
Stable
Life Span
-
WEIGHT
30.5 g
LENGTH
Total length of males is less than 1 m and female up to 1.6 m.
Aq
Aquatic
Ca
Carnivore
No
Nocturnal
Classification
KINGDOM
:
Animalia
PHYLUM
:
Chordata
CLASS
:
Reptilia
ORDER
:
Squamata
FAMILY
:
Elapidae
GENUS
:
Laticauda
SPECIES
:
Laticauda colubrina
Distribution
They live in shallow waters from 0-10 m depth, especially clear waters around coral reefs, such as Nusa Dua and Tanah Lot, Bali
Geography
Continents : Asia, Australia
Country : Waters in Eastern India and Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia north of the Ryukyu islands in Japan, Indonesia, New Guinea, Northern Australia and Western Pacific to Fiji
Habits and Lifestyle
Yellow-lipped Sea Krait forages by examining holes and crevasses on the seabed, is very active at night but sometimes during the day. Good climbers, usually digesting food, shedding skin, reproducing, and resting on the beach, especially large rock crevices
Lifestyle
Nocturnal, Aquatic, Artificial
Biome
Seawaters
Climate Zone
Tropical
Diet and Nutrition
Sea Krait feed on eels in shallow coastal waters
Diet : Carnivora
Mating Habits
Oviparous females deposit their eggs on land, females reproduce annually by producing 5 to 13 eggs.
Reproduction session : every years
Incubation periods : –
Independent age : at birth
Baby name : –
Baby carrying : 5-13 egss
Population
Population status : Least Concern (LC)
NE
DD
LC
NT
VU
EN
CR
EW
EX
Population threats
The major threats to this species may include anthropogenic disturbances such as coastal development and habitat destruction. This includes loss of shore habitats required for laying eggs and digesting prey. This species is attracted to light and may be affected by lighting from hotels and beach shacks in developing areas (A. Lobo pers. comm.). There is anecdotal evidence that resort developments on some Fijian islands may have reduced population sizes of L. colubrina (M. Guinea pers. comm. cited by Marsh et al. 1993).
Population number
This is a very widespread species. Although there are some threats, these do not appear to be causing significant declines at this time. Sea level rise may become an important threat to this species in the future. This is listed as Least Concern.
PHOTO GALLERY
Reference
- Lane, A., Guinea, M., Gatus, J. & Lobo, A. 2010. Laticauda colubrina. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2010: e.T176750A7296975
- Somaweera, R. 2017. A Naturalist’s Guide To The Reptiles and Amphibians of Bali. John Beaufoy Publishing, Oxford, England.
- McKay, J.L. 2006. Reptil and Amphibi di Bali. Krieger Publishing Company, Florida, USA.