By Sakshi Sah
Published Sep 11, 2024

Hindustan Times
Trending

Photo Credits: Research Gate/@Zeeshan A Mirza

4-foot creature with ‘very long’ snout found dead in India is a new species

A new snake species with an exceptionally long snout has been found in India. It is named the long-snouted vine snake (Ahaetulla longirostris).

Photo Credits: Research Gate/@Zeeshan A Mirza

Two specimens of this snake were discovered far apart: one in Bihar and another in Meghalaya.

Photo Credits: Research Gate/@Zeeshan A Mirza

In 2021, scientists Sourabh Verma and Soham Pattekar found a dead 4-foot-long snake in Bihar. It looked unlike any known species.

Photo Credits: Research Gate/@Zeeshan A Mirza

DNA testing and detailed analysis confirmed that the snake was a new species. It was identified as the long-snouted vine snake.

Photo Credits: Research Gate/@Zeeshan A Mirza

The long-snouted vine snake can be bright green or orange-brown. It often has an orange belly.

Photo Credits: Research Gate/@Zeeshan A Mirza

These snakes are found in forests as well as in urban areas like cities.

Photo Credits: Shutterstock (Representative Image)

The long snout of this snake makes it stand out, a feature that sets it apart from other vine snakes.

Photo Credits: Shutterstock (Representative Image)

The discovery was published in the Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity.

Photo Credits: Shutterstock (Representative Image)

This discovery has sparked interest among scientists and wildlife enthusiasts.

Photo Credits: Shutterstock (Representative Image)

The identification of the long-snouted vine snake adds to the list of rare and unique species discovered in India’s diverse ecosystems.

Photo Credits: Shutterstock (Representative Image)