Unlike truly pelagic sea snakes, species belonging to the genus Laticauda retain the ability to move efficiently on land, where they reproduce and shed their skin.

The banded sea snake is a fascinating example of evolutionary adaptation, illustrating the transition between terrestrial and marine life in reptiles.

The banded sea snake is characterized by an elongated, cylindrical body, typical of snakes, measuring on average up to about 3.3 feet in length for males and 4.9 feet for females. The coloration of the banded sea snake, also known as the yellow-lipped sea snake, is distinctive with alternating black bands and bluish to grayish areas. The tip of its head, limited to its upper lip, is yellowish.

The banded sea snake shares characteristics with terrestrial snakes, such as ventral scales that allow it to crawl easily on land, but also features adaptations to its aquatic environment, including a laterally flattened tail that serves as a fin for swimming.

The banded sea snake inhabits the tropical and subtropical waters of the Indian ocean and the western Pacific ocean, from southeast Asia to central Pacific islands such as the Philippines.

The banded sea snake can be found in coral reefs and rocky coastal areas, as well as in mangroves, sheltered lagoons and isolated beaches. It generally inhabits shallow waters up to about 66 feet deep.

The banded sea snake has adapted to its aquatic environment and the particular shape of its lungs allows it to dive to depths of up to about 197 feet in search of food.

The banded sea snake primarily feeds on eels, which it captures by injecting them with a potent neurotoxic venom. Although potentially dangerous to humans, it is generally non-aggressive.

This species plays an important ecological role in coral reefs by regulating fish populations, particularly eels.

The banded sea snake is oviparous and spends most of its life at sea, but returns to land, mainly on isolated beaches, to mate, lay its eggs, digest its food and shed its skin.

The banded sea snake is capable of slowing its metabolic rate, allowing it to remain underwater for more than 30 minutes.

The banded sea snake is listed as many other marine species within The IUCN Red List of threatened species. The banded sea snake appears in the IUCN Red List since 2010 within the category Least Concern !