Laticauda – Sea kraits

Found mainly in the warm coastal waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, these snakes have adapted to a life split between two worlds. Unlike fully aquatic sea snakes, sea kraits have broad, paddle-like tails that help them swim gracefully through the ocean, but they also have strong belly scales that allow them to move easily on rocky shores and islands. This dual lifestyle means they spend time hunting underwater for fish and eels, but they must return to land regularly to rest, digest food, and lay eggs, since, unlike many other sea snakes, they are not live-bearers.

One of the most striking features of sea kraits is their beautiful and bold coloration. They typically have black and yellow or black and white bands running along their bodies, which serve as a warning to predators that they are venomous. This bright pattern also helps them blend in with the dappled light of coral reefs and rocky underwater landscapes. Sea kraits possess highly potent venom, which they use to hunt fish, their favorite prey. Despite their dangerous venom, they are generally shy and non-aggressive towards humans, preferring to retreat rather than attack when disturbed.

Another interesting aspect of Laticauda sea kraits is their unique behavior of returning to land frequently. Unlike many other sea snakes that give birth to live young in the water, sea kraits lay eggs on land, often returning to the same spots year after year to nest. This need for land makes their survival closely tied to the health of coastal environments, where they find safe places to lay eggs and hide from predators. Sea kraits are excellent climbers and often rest in crevices or under rocks during the day, emerging mostly at night to hunt under the sea.