Sea Krait

ID points

• Black rings encircle the whole blue-grey body in a neat row
• Tail flattened into a paddle, head yellow
• Comes ashore to rest and lay eggs, climbing up onto the rocks

Basics

Family

Elapidae

Length

90–140 cm

Depth

0-20 m

Regions

Indo-Pacific reefs

Distribution

Tropical coral reefs, inshore shallows and coastal land

Habitat

Coral reefs and nearby shorelines

Diet

Eels, small fish

Easily confused with

Ribbon EelFront nostrils flare open into leaf-like petalsDragon MorayOrange-red ground densely covered in white spots, intensely colouredFrilled SharkSlender eel-like body with a shark's gill slits

Fun fact

The venom of the sea krait is about 10 times more potent than that of a cobra, yet it is a mild animal that almost never attacks people. Its flattened, paddle like tail makes it a powerful swimmer, but unlike the true sea snakes it must come ashore regularly to rest, lay its eggs and shed its skin, so it is only half marine. On the reef it specialises in hunting eels, threading its slim body into crevices after them.