Family : ELAPIDAE
Species : Laticauda colubrina
Maximum Size : 1.5 metres

References : H1, H2

Link : Aquatic Snakes of Southeast Asia, Field Museum of Natural History ... follow this link

Photos thanks to Yang Xiaohang  & Sohan Shetty

The Amphibious Sea Snake, like other Sea Kraits, spends its time mainly at sea in shallow tropical reefs. However, it frequently comes ashore, especially during the breeding season when their eggs are laid on land. It is thus not considered a 'true' sea snake, which bear live young at sea.

The attractive silver and black banding covers the entire body from the neck area to the tip of the tail. The tail is laterally compressed and rudder-like, making the snake an efficient underwater swimmer. The species has a powerful myotoxic venom which will paralyze the muscles of a bite victim. 

This species ranges along the coasts of Bangladesh, Burma, Thailand, West Malaysia and Singapore to the islands of Indonesia, Philippines and the western Pacific Ocean.  

Above : Specimen from Fiji Right : Close-up of the rudder-shaped tail