The Banded Sea Krait, Laticauda colubrina, also known as the Yellow-lipped Sea Krait or Colubrine Sea Krait, is one of the most fascinating marine animals you can encounter at many dive sites around Koh Tao. Despite some misconceptions and unnecessary fear surrounding this snake, it is truly a captivating species.
Distinguishing Features
To recognize the Banded Sea Krait, look for its striking black and silvery-blue bands running along its cylindrical body. The head is white with a prominent black crown-like mark and is slightly flattened, which aids in hydrodynamics. The body tapers towards the tail, which ends in a unique, flattened, paddle-like shape that helps it swim efficiently.
The Banded Sea Krait Behavior
• Like sea turtles and other reptiles, Banded Sea Kraits need to come ashore to nest and occasionally drink freshwater, so they seek out coastal sources of water. They also digest their food and rest on land, using terrestrial rocks to shed their skin. Despite spending much of their time on land, Banded Sea Kraits are well adapted for hunting in coral reefs and can hold their breath underwater for 15 to 30 minutes before returning to the surface for air.
• Sea snakes don’t have gills to breathe underwater like fish. Instead, they rely on lungs to get oxygen when they come to the surface. Additionally, they can absorb oxygen directly into their blood through their skin.
• Banded Sea Kraits are considered marine reptiles due to their hunting habits on coral and rocky reefs. Although they are much smaller than the eels they feed on, these kraits swallow their prey whole and then return to land to digest their meal, a process that may take several weeks. Female Banded Sea Kraits are notably larger than males, reaching lengths of up to 160 cm and tails of 14.5 cm. They can be up to three times heavier than males and primarily feed on larger conger eels. Males, in contrast, average around 88 cm in total length, with tails measuring 13 cm, and generally consume smaller moray eels.
Defensive Behavior
The Banded Sea Krait possesses highly potent neurotoxic venom, primarily used to immobilize its prey, such as eels. After delivering a bite, the Krait typically retreats and waits for the venom to take effect, paralyzing the prey before returning to consume it. This venom is not only effective at quickly subduing the prey but also begins the digestion process by breaking down tissues even before the Krait swallows its meal whole.
Despite its venomous nature, the Banded Sea Krait is generally not aggressive toward humans and bites are rare. The venom contains neurotoxins that affect the nervous system, which can be dangerous to humans if bitten, but bites are usually only a risk if the snake is provoked.
Breeding
Like all snakes, Banded Sea Kraits reproduce through internal fertilization. After mating, females lay around ten eggs in a land-based nest, which hatch after an incubation period of at least four months. These sea kraits are also impressive navigators; a study showed that, even after being relocated over 5 kilometers from their nesting grounds, they were able to return to the exact location.
Predators
Due to their potent toxin, Banded Sea Kraits have very few natural predators, with the main threats being sea birds and sharks.
Where to find the Banded Sea Krait on Koh Tao
Banded Sea Kraits can be spotted at several dive sites around Koh Tao, including:
