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| Katuali | |
|---|---|
| |
| Laticauda schystorhyncha in Niue | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Elapidae |
| Genus: | Laticauda |
| Species: | L. schistorhynchus
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| Binomial name | |
| Laticauda schistorhynchus (Schneider, 1799)
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The katuali or flat-tail sea snake (Laticauda schistorhynchus) is a sea snake, related to the sea krait, found only in the waters of the Pacific Island nation of Niue. It grows up to 1 metre in length, and is highly venomous, making it one of the most potentially dangerous creatures on the planet. It has a fin-like tail, helping it to swim better.[2][3] Katualis live most of their adult lives in the sea. During mating, the male snake wraps itself around the female until she is fertilized. Because their eggs would not survive in the water, the females swim into sea caves to lay their eggs in dry crevices. These eggs take six months to hatch, and then the infant snakes make their way to the ocean.[4]
References