A New Burrowing Snake Species Unrecorded by Science Discovered in Paraguay. The global reptile community is abuzz due to its striking colors and rarity.
Described in a study published in the journal Zoosystematics and Evolution, this non-venomous member of the genus Phalotris has been named Phalotris shawnella. To date, this species has only been found in two locations in the South American republic.
This snake species is critically endangered and at risk of extinction.
With only three individuals discovered so far in two areas of San Pedro province, eastern Paraguay, the authors believe they are severely threatened and at risk of extinction without protective measures.
The genus Phalotris comprises at least 15 snake species distributed across the vast Cerrado savanna ecosystem extending from Brazil to Paraguay.
Researcher Jean-Paul Brouard stumbled upon one of the first three individuals while digging a hole in Rancho Laguna Blanca National Park, Paraguay, in 2014. Phalotris shawnella spends most of its life burrowing and hunting beneath the ground.
Brouard noted in a publication about his discovery that the snake differs from its relatives in the genus with its red head combined with a yellow band around its neck. Following that are black stripes on the body interspersed with orange scales spotted with black on the belly.
Phalotris shawnella spends most of its life burrowing and hunting beneath the ground.
So far, this snake species has only been sighted in the Laguna Blanca and Colonia Volendam reptile and amphibian reserves, which are about 90 km apart.
Among the three individuals, only one was captured; the other two escaped after being photographed for research.
The research team stated: “Laguna Blanca has been designated as a Nature Reserve for a period of five years, but currently, there are no protective measures in place. Conservation efforts at this location should be upgraded to a national conservation mission.”
Known for its sandy soil, the Cerrado region in Paraguay is being rapidly exploited for agricultural and livestock development, endangering the local ecosystem.
