Understanding Laticauda Laticaudata: Taxonomy to Conservation

Laticauda laticaudata, also known as the black sea krait, is a species of venomous snake found in the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific region.

The taxonomy of Laticauda laticaudata is classified under the family Elapidae, which includes other venomous snakes like cobras and coral snakes.

Its scientific name, Laticauda laticaudata, is a combination of two Greek words: "laticauda" meaning broad tail and "laticaudata" meaning having a broad tail.

This species is known for its distinctive broad, flat tail, which is a characteristic feature of the genus Laticauda.

See what others are reading: Laticauda Semifasciata

The blue-lipped sea krait, Laticauda laticaudata, has a fascinating taxonomy history.

Carl Linnaeus first described the species in his 1758 10th edition of Systema Naturae, giving it the binomial name Coluber laticaudatus.

There are two subspecies of blue-lipped sea kraits: Laticauda laticaudata laticaudata and Laticauda laticaudata affinis.

These subspecies can be distinguished by their unique characteristics.

Here are the key features that distinguish the two subspecies:

The ventral scales of this snake are quite large, measuring one-third to more than one-half the width of the body.

The nostrils are lateral, meaning they are located on the sides of the snout, and the nasal scales are separated by internasals.

The snake has 19 longitudinal rows of imbricate scales at midbody.

The upper lip is dark brown, which can be used to differentiate the blue-lipped sea krait from other Laticauda species.

This species of marine snake is a stunning sight to behold, with deep blue and black banding running along its entire body.

The blue and black banding is a distinctive feature of this species, and it's worth noting that it fades into pale yellow or cream on the undersides and facial mask.

One of the key ways to identify this species is by its brown upper lip, which sets it apart from the yellow-lipped sea krait.

The number of black rings on its body is also a distinguishing feature, with this species having between 35-54 black rings.

In comparison, the New Caledonian sea krait has fewer black rings, typically between 25-39.

For another approach, see: Sea Snakes in Okinawa Japan

The blue-lipped sea snake, also known as the common sea krait, is found in the Indian and Western Pacific Oceans. It has a vast distribution, covering areas such as the Bay of Bengal, coasts of Malay Peninsula to Indonesia, Timor-Leste, New Guinea, and many other islands and countries.

They can be found in shallow waters surrounding islands, coral reefs, and mangroves, where they hunt for prey at night. Females tend to spend more time on land than males, likely due to reproductive factors.

Sea kraits forage in reefs and return to land to digest their prey, mate, slough, and lay their eggs. They experience rapid temperature shifts when going from water to land, so they often seek shelter from direct sunlight.

One specimen was found in Devonport, New Zealand in 2011 and again in January 2025, but unfortunately, it died shortly after being taken to Kelly Tarlton's Sea Life Aquarium.

Expand your knowledge: Can Snakes Be Found on Every Continent

Brown-lipped sea kraits are egg-laying species, with females depositing clutches of between 1-7 eggs into sheltered crevices in the littoral zone from January to March.

The young hatch out at around 38cm SVL, and 13 grams, after an incubation of approximately 3-4 months.

Sexual maturity is reached at 1 ½-2 ½ years old, which is a remarkable age for a species of snake.

Most foraging excursions take place within a few kilometres of their home islands.

This species prefers soft-bottomed habitats, such as seagrass beds, mud flats, and sand, but has been recorded making excursions as far as 23km from their home island.

Laticauda laticaudata, also known as the brown-lipped sea krait, is not immune to various health issues. They are host to several reptilian diseases and parasites.

One of the parasites they carry is the sea snake tick, specifically the Amblyomma nitidum species.

The laticauda laticaudata is fortunate to have a relatively stable conservation status. Listed as Not Threatened in the most recent threat classification for New Zealand reptiles.

This classification is a testament to the species' adaptability and resilience.

These snakes are not typically aggressive, and it's extremely rare for them to bite unless they're defending themselves, like when they're being removed from fishing nets.

They're highly venomous, but they tend to avoid confrontations.

In fact, they're so rare to encounter that it's not uncommon for people to not know what to do if they see one.

Sea kraits have a tendency to climb into small spaces, like water intakes and exhaust pipes, which is how they can sometimes end up on private boats traveling to new places.

This has led to instances where several sea krait species have arrived in New Zealand on board private boats.

The Blue-Banded Sea Krait is a highly venomous species of sea snake found in the tropical waters of the Pacific Ocean.

It is approximately 1 to 1.5 meters in length and can weigh up to 2.2 kg.

Their venom is highly potent and can be deadly to humans, but they are not aggressive and will typically only bite in self-defense.

They are primarily found in coral reefs, rocky coastlines, and shallow lagoons, but may also be found in deeper waters near the continental shelf.

Their diet consists mainly of small fish, including eels and gobies.

They are highly adapted to life in the water and can hold their breath for up to 2 hours while diving.

The Blue-Banded Sea Krait is classified in the genus Laticauda, which includes a total of six species of sea kraits.

It belongs to the Elapidae family, which includes all venomous land and sea snakes.

They are currently listed as a species of “Least Concern” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).