Yellow-lipped Sea Krait

Identification and appearance

Black bands alternate with pale bands that may look darker across the back. A yellow upper lip extends toward the eye on a mostly black head. Sea kraits use shore habitats as well as the sea.

Other names

Colubrine Sea Krait, White-lipped Sea Krait

Typical length

The NT Government guide gives an adult-size range of roughly 80–150 cm. It is not an Australian population average or species maximum.

Head appearance

Yellow upper lip

Key identification features

• Black and pale body bands
• Yellow upper lip and mostly black head
• Uses both land and sea

Where it is found

An uncommon visitor to Australian waters. A formally identified female was found at Mindil Beach, Darwin, in October 2014. Earlier Queensland records and other occasional arrivals do not establish an Australian breeding population.

Habitat

Forages on coral reefs and rests on nearby land. Australian records are occasional arrivals, with no verified local breeding population.

Activity

Hunts on coral reefs and returns to nearby land for shelter.

Diet

Feeds mainly on eels, including morays.

Reproduction

Egg-laying.

Medical significance

For any suspected snakebite, call 000 and follow snakebite first aid. Do not wait for identification.

What to do if you encounter one

Keep clear on shore or in the water. Do not handle or return a stranded snake to the sea; contact qualified wildlife help if needed.

Taxonomy notes

Australian records are treated as occasional visitors. A reference profile is retained, but this species is excluded from the usual identifier results.