Yellow-Lipped Sea Krait @ Semakau 06Nov2009 from BeachBum on Vimeo.
This beautiful but highly venomous sea krait (Laticauda colubrina) was out hunting amongst the coral rubble once the night sky was dark enough. It was about 75cm long and was swimming actively in the shallow water.
Notice that the sea krait uses it's tongue underwater just like how land snakes do. Interesting how the tongue taste function is used both on land as well as under the water. Note also the laterally compressed tail which allows for great swimming. Since it does not have gills, nor does it have the ability to absorb oxygen from the water through its skin, the snake has to breathe air from the water surface. The snake was observed lifting its snout above the water surface about every 3 minutes.
More Info about this snake :
http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/vertebrates/snakes/laticauda.htm
http://www.wildasia.org/main.cfm/support/Yellow-lipped_Sea_Krait
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laticauda_colubrina
http://wildshores.blogspot.com/2009/08/two-headed-yellow-lipped-sea-krait.html
Other blogs about the trip :-
http://wildshores.blogspot.com/2009/11/snakes-in-fish-feeding-frenzy.html
http://wildshores.blogspot.com/2009/11/success-at-semakau-giant-clams-and-more.html
http://psychedelic-nature.blogspot.com/2009/11/id026-boring-giant-clam.html
http://sgn090608.blogspot.com/2009/11/091106-semakau.html
