A species of venomous sea snake (Laticauda semifasciata) found in the waters around Okinawa and the Ryukyu Islands. Often called 永良部海蛇 (えらぶうみへび) as well.
See also: エラブウミヘビ
The Erabu black-banded sea krait is a type of venomous snake that inhabits the seas around Okinawa.
Smoked Erabu sea krait is known as a specialty product of the Amami region.
Synonymous; 永良部海蛇 is an alternative name for the same species, literally 'Erabu sea snake'.
Katakana spelling is standard for this species name.
Kanji spelling is rare and mainly used in specialized contexts; the word is usually written in kana.
Named after Erabu Island (永良部島) in the Amami Islands, where the snake is found. 鰻 (うなぎ) means 'eel', referring to its eel-like appearance.