Laticauda

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Laticauda
Laticauda colubrina
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Reptilia Order: Squamata Suborder: Serpentes Family: Hydrophiidae Genus: Laticauda
Species
Laticauda colubrina Laticauda crockeri Laticauda laticaudata Laticauda semifasciata

Laticauda is a genus of snakes from the family Hydrophiidae. The laticauda is the least adapted to sea life of all the members of Hydrophiidae; it retains the wide ventral scales typical of terrestrial snakes and has only a poorly developed tail fin. Laticauda are adapted to living on land and in shallow seas.

Contents 1 Location 2 Diet 3 Behavior 4 Breeding 5 Species 6 References

[edit] Location

The Laticauda is found through out the south and southeast Asian islands spreading from southern China to northern Australia. It is mostly found in coastal waters.^[1]

[edit] Diet

The Laticauda feed in the ocean, mostly eating moray and conger eels. Some Laticauda eat squid, crabs, and fish. They have never been observed feeding on land.

[edit] Behavior

The Laticauda are often active at night, which is when they prefer to hunt. Even though they contain one of the most toxic venoms in the world, Laticauda are usually not aggressive towards humans.

[edit] Breeding

The Laticauda are Oviparous, meaning that they return to land in order to mate. Courtship involves the male twitching his body in order to attract females.

[edit] Species

• Laticauda colubrina - Yellow-lipped sea krait
• Laticauda crockeri - Crocker's Sea Snake
• Laticauda laticaudata - Blue-lipped sea krait
• Laticauda semifasciata - Black-banded sea krait

[edit] References

1. ^ Kindersley, Dorling (2001,2005). Animal. New York City: DK Publishing. ISBN 0-7894-7764-5.