Erakina

Menu
Plants & Animal

Do you know about discovery of a new latte macchiato or a snake..!!

April 18, 2022 5 Mins Read
3.8K Views
976 Comments

Introduction to Snake

  • A striking new species of ground snake of the genus Stegonotus has been found from the River Purari’s basin in Gulf Province, Papua New Guinea. The newly found species is a rare beauty to exist and is quite a bit colored one.

The newly discovered S.aplini 

  • The species has a different pattern of pigmentation on its body than that found on other snakes of the genus. In layman’s terms, this snake can be recognized by its coffee-colored body texture. Well, quite a few might miss their latte macchiatos on seeing this snake but control yourselves, please(wink)….
  • This uniquely designed snake species is diversely populated in southern Papua New Guinea and is difficult to be spotted even in the bright light of the daytime. The reasons for its rareness will be disclosed further as you and I walk forth in the expedition… 

Who’s the rare one? 

  • The new species of the snake has been named Stegonotus aplini. It’s distinguishable by the unique dorsal pattern consisting of a dark head and creamy white anterior one-third to two-thirds of its body, shifting into an increasingly dense dark pigmentation on the posterior of the body and its tail.
  • It depicts a lower ventral scale count and a unique temporal scale configuration than its closest relative S. iridis. 

Head scales. snake

  • The head is light brown in contrast with the snow-white anterior body and a dark brown tail. What a beautiful snake it is to discern..!!..

Some features…

  • The other snakes of Stegonotus are generally found in uniform grey, brown, or even black color. It distinguishes itself from all its congeners due to its coloration and pattern.
  • They are longer in size in comparison to their relatives and have other domains of difference.
  • The new snake species has been named in honor of Dr. Ken Aplin (1958-2019). He has been honored for his immaculate contributions to New Guinean herpetology. The researcher’s experiences in Melanesia provided great information on the region’s living and non-living vertebrate fauna. 

Habitat of the new one

  • Though a great diversity of the species is exclusive to New Guinea, the preferred regions by this snake are Borneo and the Philippines in the northwest, to New Guinea and Australia in the southwest. 
  • These are the 25th species of Stegonotus to be discovered and the 14th to be located in Guinea which proves their abundance in this area.

Papua New Guinea

  • They were found commonly in both lowland forests remote to human habitation as well as in the gardens of the villagers.  
  • Regarding their hunting practices, S.alpini are nocturnal serpents and forage on the forest floors for their prey during the nighttime. 
  • These reptiles were found attempting to strike the researchers on being captured but rest assured they are not as venomous as expected naturally(phew)… A mere glimpse of a wriggling snake sends a shudder down the spine, so nothing is wrong with the townies….

internal link:

A Danderous falcon(bird) that you don’t know before it

Note: If you want to read this content again, only then go to the bottom, otherwise don’t go.

Introduction to Snake

  • A striking new species of ground snake of the genus Stegonotus has been found from the River Purari’s basin in Gulf Province, Papua New Guinea. The newly found species is a rare beauty to exist and is quite a bit colored one.

The newly discovered S.aplini 

  • The species has a different pattern of pigmentation on its body than that found on other snakes of the genus. In layman’s terms, this snake can be recognized by its coffee-colored body texture. Well, quite a few might miss their latte macchiatos on seeing this snake but control yourselves, please(wink)….
  • This uniquely designed snake species is diversely populated in southern Papua New Guinea and is difficult to be spotted even in the bright light of the daytime. The reasons for its rareness will be disclosed further as you and I walk forth in the expedition… 

Who’s the rare one? 

  • The new species of the snake has been named Stegonotus aplini. It’s distinguishable by the unique dorsal pattern consisting of a dark head and creamy white anterior one-third to two-thirds of its body, shifting into an increasingly dense dark pigmentation on the posterior of the body and its tail.
  • It depicts a lower ventral scale count and a unique temporal scale configuration than its closest relative S. iridis. 

Head scales. snake

  • The head is light brown in contrast with the snow-white anterior body and a dark brown tail. What a beautiful snake it is to discern..!!..

Some features…

  • The other snakes of Stegonotus are generally found in uniform grey, brown, or even black color. It distinguishes itself from all its congeners due to its coloration and pattern.
  • They are longer in size in comparison to their relatives and have other domains of difference.
  • The new snake species has been named in honor of Dr. Ken Aplin (1958-2019). He has been honored for his immaculate contributions to New Guinean herpetology. The researcher’s experiences in Melanesia provided great information on the region’s living and non-living vertebrate fauna. 

Habitat of the new one

  • Though a great diversity of the species is exclusive to New Guinea, the preferred regions by this snake are Borneo and the Philippines in the northwest, to New Guinea and Australia in the southwest. 
  • These are the 25th species of Stegonotus to be discovered and the 14th to be located in Guinea which proves their abundance in this area.

Papua New Guinea

  • They were found commonly in both lowland forests remote to human habitation as well as in the gardens of the villagers.  
  • Regarding their hunting practices, S.alpini are nocturnal serpents and forage on the forest floors for their prey during the nighttime. 
  • These reptiles were found attempting to strike the researchers on being captured but rest assured they are not as venomous as expected naturally(phew)… A mere glimpse of a wriggling snake sends a shudder down the spine, so nothing is wrong with the townies….
By :- SAMBHAVI YADAV

Tags:

Share Article

Other Articles

Related Posts