Stats

Lifespan: 10-20 yrs
Size: Medium
Diet: Carnivore
Activity: Nocturnal
Social: Solitary
Biome: Coral reef
Range: Oceania
Movement: Swimming
Breeding: Egg-laying
Defense: Venom
Status: Rare

About

A venomous sea snake endemic to New Caledonia and Vanuatu, instantly recognisable by its bold black-and-pale-blue banding and flattened paddle tail. Unlike most sea snakes it is amphibious, regularly hauling out onto rocks and islets to digest prey, shed skin, and lay eggs.

Life cycle

1.
hatchling
A miniature snake emerges from the egg or from its mother (live-bearers), already venomous or strong-coiled in some species.
2.
juvenile
A juvenile sheds its skin, grows quickly, and hunts smaller prey than the adults.
3.
adult
Fully grown at adult length and pattern.

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Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Elapidae
Genus: Laticauda
Species: Laticauda saintgironsi