New Caledonian sea krait facts for kids
Quick facts for kids New Caledonian sea krait |
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| Laticauda saintgironsi | |
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Laticauda
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| Species: |
saintgironsi
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The New Caledonian sea krait (Laticauda saintgironsi) is a type of venomous snake that lives in the ocean. It belongs to a group of snakes called sea kraits, which are part of the Elapidae family. This snake is special because it lives only in the waters around New Caledonia, a group of islands in the Pacific Ocean.
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What's in a Name?
The scientific name for this snake, saintgironsi, was chosen to honor a French scientist named Hubert Saint Girons. He was a herpetologist, which means he studied reptiles and amphibians.
Where Does It Live?
The New Caledonian sea krait is found only in New Caledonia and the nearby Loyalty Islands. This means it's an "endemic" species, living naturally in just one specific area. It is very rare to find this snake anywhere else. Sea kraits often stay close to shore or in shallow water. This makes it harder for them to be carried away by strong ocean currents.
Its Home
This sea krait lives in different kinds of water environments. You can find it in the ocean, in areas where the tide goes in and out (called the intertidal zone), and even a little bit above the high tide line (the supratidal zone). They can live in water as deep as 80 meters (about 262 feet). They can also be found on land up to 100 meters (about 328 feet) above sea level.
How to Spot It
New Caledonian sea kraits show something called sexual dimorphism. This means that males and females look a bit different. Females grow larger than males. The longest male ever recorded was about 81.7 centimeters (32.2 inches) long from snout to vent. The longest female was about 109 centimeters (42.9 inches) long.
Both male and female New Caledonian sea kraits have a yellow or cream-colored upper lip. This yellow lip is a key feature. Another way to identify them is by counting their scales. They have 21 rows of scales around the middle of their body. A similar snake, the Yellow-lipped sea krait, also has a yellow upper lip but has 23 rows of scales.
What It Eats
The New Caledonian sea krait mainly eats fish that do not have spiny fins. A big part of its diet, about half, is a type of eel called the lipspot moray (Gymnothorax chilospilus).
Parasites
Like many animals, the New Caledonian sea krait can have tiny organisms living on or inside it. Scientists have found a few types of nematodes, which are small worms, that can be parasites of this snake.
Reproduction
The New Caledonian sea krait is an oviparous species. This means that the females lay eggs.
