Appendix E

DESCRIPTIONS OF VENOMOUS SNAKES

Banded sea snake

Banded sea snake
Laticauda colubrina

Description: Smooth-scaled snake that is a pale shade of blue with black bands. Its oarlike tail provides propulsion in swimming.

Characteristics: Most active at night, swimming close to shore and at times entering tide pools. Its venom is a very strong neurotoxin. Its victims are usually fishermen who untangle these deadly snakes from large fish nets.

Length: Average 75 centimeters (30 inches), maximum 1.2 meters
(4 feet).

Distribution: Pacific Ocean coastal waters of Australia and southeast Asia; Indian Ocean coastal waters. (Figure E-48).

Figure E-48. Banded Sea Snake Habitat