One of the ocean’s sleek and stealthy serpents, a little-known but remarkable member of the sea snake family that glides effortlessly through the tropical waters of northern Australia, Southeast Asia, and the Indo-Pacific. Though not as famous as some of its relatives, Lambert’s sea snake stands out for its streamlined shape, subtle beauty, and remarkable ability to thrive in both coastal shallows and deep offshore waters.
This snake is moderately large, with a long, slender body and a distinctive flattened, paddle-like tail that works as a powerful propeller. Its scales are smooth and overlapping, giving it a silken texture and hydrodynamic form that allows it to slip through the water with almost no resistance. Its coloration varies from pale gray or olive to bluish-gray, usually patterned with faint darker crossbands that help it blend in with rippling light patterns near the seafloor. This subtle, wave-mimicking coloration makes it nearly invisible to both predators and prey.
The Lambert’s sea snake is a fully marine species, spending its entire life in salt water. It is commonly found in coastal lagoons, coral reefs, and muddy estuaries, as well as farther out to sea in deeper regions—making it one of the few sea snakes capable of living both inshore and offshore. Like other members of its genus, it is highly venomous but also shy and non-aggressive. Its venom is specialized for hunting small fish and eels, which it ambushes with quick, surgical precision. Once bitten, its prey is paralyzed almost instantly, ensuring a clean and efficient meal.
One of the most fascinating aspects of Lambert’s sea snake is how well adapted it is to marine life. It can stay underwater for long periods—up to two hours—by absorbing part of its oxygen through its skin, a trait shared by only a few sea snakes. It has valved nostrils that close underwater and special salt glands near its tongue that excrete excess salt, allowing it to survive without drinking freshwater.
Distribution
Pacific ocean
Cambodia
China
Indonesia
Malaysia
Philippines
Singapore
Taiwan
Thailand
VietnamAnything we've missed?
Help us improve this page by suggesting edits. Glory never dies!
Suggest an editGet to know me
Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
