Uploaded July 2025 | Updated September 2026, 16 hours ago
Found on Takapuna Beach in December 2022, this yellow-lipped sea krait was rescued and rehabilitated at our veterinary hospital.
While they’re classed as a native species, this snake is unable to survive in our too-cold waters. The great news is that this snake (sex currently undetermined) is now able to educate our wonderful visitors about this beautiful and often misunderstood species.
As Richard explains, if you’re lucky enough to spot a krait on a New Zealand beach, give it plenty of space and respect – but don’t approach it. Instead call our conservation colleagues at 0800 DOC HOT.
Our thanks to Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki who gifted this snake the name Weherua which means ‘split’ or ‘divided’. This encapsulates the snake’s patterning (split between hues of black and white) and its journey from the Pacific islands to a new life in Aotearoa.
Watch as senior ectotherm keeper Nick tong-feeds the sea snake some sustainably-farmed giant kōkopu and demonstrates our care for Weherua!
Found on Takapuna Beach in December 2022, this yellow-lipped sea krait was rescued and rehabilitated at our veterinary hospital.
While they’re classed as a native species, this snake is unable to survive in our too-cold waters. The great news is that this snake (sex currently undetermined) is now able to educate our wonderful visitors about this beautiful and often misunderstood species.
As Richard explains, if you’re lucky enough to spot a krait on a New Zealand beach, give it plenty of space and respect – but don’t approach it. Instead call our conservation colleagues at 0800 DOC HOT.
Our thanks to Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki who gifted this snake the name Weherua which means ‘split’ or ‘divided’. This encapsulates the snake’s patterning (split between hues of black and white) and its journey from the Pacific islands to a new life in Aotearoa.
Watch as senior ectotherm keeper Nick tong-feeds the sea snake some sustainably-farmed giant kōkopu and demonstrates our care for Weherua!
