Up close with a sea krait or “walo-walo”: Venomous sea snake joins diving lesson in Batangas

• During a freediving lesson in Mabini, Batangas, a woman had a startling encounter with a banded sea krait, one of the world's most venomous snakes, which swam remarkably close to her

• Footage of the incident shows the sea snake nearing the woman's shoulder, prompting her cries of alarm

• A diving coach who was present during the incident confirmed that no one was bitten

• Despite possessing neurotoxic venom more powerful than that of many land snakes, sea kraits are generally not aggressive towards humans and bites only when provoked or accidentally disturbed

A freediving lesson in the waters off Mabini, Batangas, took an unexpected turn recently when a woman encountered one of the world's most venomous reptiles, a banded sea krait, commonly known locally as "walo-walo."

The close interaction, captured on video, unfolded as the student was submerged, highlighting the unpredictable nature of marine encounters.

The incident, which was reported on Sunday, June 22, showed the student in the midst of her freediving session when the distinctive black-and-white banded sea snake swam into their immediate vicinity.

Video footage from the scene captures the woman's audible cries of alarm as the serpent maneuvered remarkably close, reportedly reaching her shoulder area.

Despite the proximity and the initial fright, a diving coach who uploaded the video confirmed that, fortunately, no one was bitten during the encounter.

The sea krait (genus Laticauda), particularly the banded sea krait (Laticauda colubrina), is recognized globally for its potent neurotoxic venom, which is significantly more powerful than that of many terrestrial snakes, including cobras.

This makes it one of the most venomous snakes on the planet. Despite their formidable venom, these creatures are generally known for their docile nature and are not inherently aggressive towards humans.

Bites typically occur when the snakes are provoked, mishandled, or accidentally stepped upon. Their small mouths and fangs are primarily adapted for preying on eels and small fish, making accidental bites on human skin less common, especially through diving gear or wetsuits.

Unlike true sea snakes, which spend their entire lives underwater, sea kraits are semi-aquatic. They require regular trips to the surface to breathe air, and they often come ashore to digest their meals, mate, and lay eggs.

This unique characteristic means they can be observed both in their marine habitats, often around coral reefs and rocky shorelines in tropical Indo-Pacific waters, and occasionally on land.

Mabini, Batangas, is a renowned diving destination, attracting enthusiasts for its rich marine biodiversity.

Encounters with various marine species, including venomous ones, are a possibility in such thriving ecosystems.

Experts advise divers and swimmers to observe marine life from a respectful distance and to avoid any actions that might provoke an animal.

While the close call served as a startling reminder of the potent life that inhabits the ocean, the outcome underscores that wild animals, even those with deadly capabilities, often prefer to avoid confrontation if left undisturbed.

The incident serves as a reinforcement of standard diving safety protocols concerning marine life interactions.

News, photos, or videos that arouse the interest of netizens would often go viral on social media, due to the attention netizens give them. These viral posts appeal to the emotions of netizens, and in rare cases, this could also happen to ordinary people, making them very relatable.

In other news, the search for 25-year-old DLSU-BGC law student Anthony Granada ended tragically on Saturday, June 21, 2025, when his body, in an advanced state of decomposition, was found in a vacant lot in Naic, Cavite. Investigators discovered a bottle of "Drain Clog Free" chemical near Granada's remains. His personal belongings, including his phone, were found intact in his backpack, leading authorities to initially rule out robbery as a motive. Granada was last seen via CCTV in Taguig City on the evening of June 8, 2025, and subsequent footage showed him walking in Barangay Sapa, Naic, Cavite, later that same night. The Forensic Unit of Cavite Province and the Naic Municipal Police Station are conducting a thorough investigation to ascertain the precise cause of death, with authorities emphasizing a detailed forensic examination due to the state of the remains and the chemical found.

Still in other news, a police vehicle crashed into a concrete barrier in Barangay Poblacion, Alabel, Sarangani. One officer, a Police Executive Master Sergeant, died due to the strong impact. The group was returning from a wake when the accident occurred. Six injured officers are recovering in the hospital; investigation is ongoing.

Source: KAMI.com.gh