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The word "snake" usually strikes and image of
danger into people's minds. Although processing one of the most potent venoms
known to man, the Banded Sea Snake has a placid disposition that allows divers
to interact closely with these reptiles without the fear of being bitten.
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Thailand is home several species of
sea snakes, but by far the most common is the Banded Sea Snake ( or Krait ) The
Banded Sea Snakes have evolved from a land species, and is the only sea snake
still equipped with ventral plates which allow them to navigate back onto dry
land to lay eggs. The sea snake have a laterally compressed tails, which like a
boats rudder, they use it to steer themselves through the water. Like all other
species of snakes sea snakes are air breathers, who, like sea turtles, need to
return to the surface periodically to breath. The Banded Sea Snake has valve
like nostrils which it closes underwater to enable them to dive.
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Banded Sea Snakes will feed mainly on small fish,
fish eggs, eels, squid, cuttlefish and crustaceans. Their favourite food is the
goby, and they can often be found searching relentlessly around coral heads and
rubble looking for some slow moving prey. When the Banded Sea Snake finds its
prey, it will strike out and bite its victim, injecting deadly neurotoxins, its
prey only has seconds to live, and the fast moving snake will follow its victim
to their final resting place.
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The venom of the Banded Sea Snake is very dangerous, with a
dose of around 1.5 milligrams being fatal. The average snake bite will release
close to 15 milligrams of venom, making the Banded Sea Snake, ten times more
lethal than a cobra or rattlesnake. Despite this toxic venom, around 75-80% of
all sea snake bites are "blank", meaning that they don't inject venom, as they
do not perceive people as a food source; the bites are purely a warning.
The Banded Sea Snake is the only sea snake which still comes
onto land to lay eggs, as other species are viviparous, giving birth to live
young. Once hatched, juvenile Banded Sea Snakes are completely independent of
their mothers, and will enter their aquatic homes and start hunting almost
immediately after birth.
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Many divers are quite hesitate the first time they see a sea
snake and will often back away. This is completely unnecessary, as these
curious reptiles pose no real threat to divers. Sea snakes have even been seen
swimming up to divers to check them out, especially the long black hoses coming
out from the back of your tank. Banded Sea Snakes are fantastic creatures to
photograph and film, as their graceful movements through the water is a joy to
watch.
Note to the Diver
Although sea snakes are non-aggressive creatures,
divers should never attempt to handle them, especially out of the water. A
common myth is that the sea snakes mouth is too small to inflict a bite on a
human, this is completely untrue. Like all marine creatures, sea snakes should
be respected, and viewed from an appropriate distance.
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| Scientific Name |
Laticauda colubrina
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| Type |
Reptile |
| Diet |
Carnivore
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| Lifespan |
Unknown
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| Size |
75 - 200cm
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| Weight |
Unknown |
| Protection Status |
Vulnerable
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Where Can I see them?
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Banded Sea Snake 
