Laticauda colubrina
Encounter Rate
Spotting Difficulty
Best Season
Year-round
Depth Range
0-40 meters
The banded sea krait is one of the most graceful and frequently encountered marine reptiles in Komodo National Park, easily identified by its striking pattern of alternating black and blue-grey bands along its entire cylindrical body. Despite possessing venom many times more potent than a king cobra's, banded sea kraits are remarkably docile animals that pose virtually no threat to divers. They are truly amphibious creatures, spending time both in the water hunting for small eels and fish among reef crevices and on land where they rest, digest food, shed their skin, and lay eggs. In Komodo, sea kraits are commonly encountered swimming gracefully along reef walls as they probe crevices and coral holes in search of moray eels and other small fish — their primary prey. Their paddle-shaped tail makes them efficient swimmers, though they lack the speed of fish and rely on their venom to quickly immobilise prey in tight spaces. Encounters often occur at shallow reef sites and occasionally on beaches within the park. Despite their potent venom, no fatal bite from a banded sea krait on a diver has been recorded — they simply have no inclination to bite unless severely provoked.
Average Size
0.8-1.1m
Size Range
0.5-1.4m
Maximum Size
1.4m
Specialist predator of small eels and elongated reef fish. Hunts by probing reef crevices and coral holes, using potent neurotoxic venom to quickly immobilise prey in confined spaces.
The banded sea krait is one of the most graceful and frequently encountered marine reptiles in Komodo National Park, easily identified by its striking pattern of alternating black and blue-grey bands along its entire cylindrical body. Despite possessing venom many times more potent than a king cobra's, banded sea kraits are remarkably docile animals that pose virtually no threat to divers. They are truly amphibious creatures, spending time both in the water hunting for small eels and fish among reef crevices and on land where they rest, digest food, shed their skin, and lay eggs. In Komodo, sea kraits are commonly encountered swimming gracefully along reef walls as they probe crevices and coral holes in search of moray eels and other small fish — their primary prey. Their paddle-shaped tail makes them efficient swimmers, though they lack the speed of fish and rely on their venom to quickly immobilise prey in tight spaces. Encounters often occur at shallow reef sites and occasionally on beaches within the park. Despite their potent venom, no fatal bite from a banded sea krait on a diver has been recorded — they simply have no inclination to bite unless severely provoked.
This species plays an important role in the marine ecosystem of Komodo National Park. Responsible diving practices help protect these animals and their habitat for future generations.
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Despite their extremely potent venom, they are among the most docile venomous animals in the world. They have small mouths, rear-positioned fangs, and absolutely no inclination to bite divers. No diver fatality has been recorded. Simply give them respectful space.
