A previously unknown snake species has been discovered in a cave in Thailand.
During an expedition in the limestone mountains along the border of Trang and Satun provinces (southern Thailand) to search for specimens of the newly identified green pit viper, Trimeresurus ciliaris, two reptile researchers, Harry Ward-Smith and Rupert Grassby-Lewis, unexpectedly encountered a strange snake species.
The newly discovered snake species in Thailand – (Photo: Harry Ward-Smith).
This snake features upper fangs that are “blade-like”, along with a solid layer of scaly armor on its belly, enabling it to “climb sheer cliffs.”
Evolutionary biologists noted that the snake’s two “expanded blade-like upper fangs” and the robust scales on its belly provide “strong evidence” that this is a completely new species.
“They are particularly well-adapted to life in this harsh environment”, Harry Ward-Smith shared, naming the new snake species “Kukri Snake” or Oligodon speleoserpens.
Additionally, Grassby-Lewis, a herpetologist and tour guide, mentioned that Kukri Snakes inhabit the areas inside and around the cave on vertical limestone cliffs, displaying a color range from light to medium brown, with black-edged scales. They primarily feed on the eggs of two local gecko species, Cnemaspis and Cyrtodactylus.
Researchers from the Lomonosov Moscow State University (Russia) and the University of Michigan (USA), who assisted the two young researchers in publishing their new findings, indicated that many specimens of this snake species may be hidden deep within the subterranean caves of the mountains.
Three obtained specimens of the new snake species – (Photo: Harry Ward-Smith).
The new snake species has “blade-like” fangs and a layer of prominent or “horned” scales on its belly – (Photo: Harry Ward-Smith)
“We need further observations of the Oligodon speleoserpens species”, scientists wrote in their paper published in the journal Vertebrate Zoology.
