Scientists have discovered a new species of cave snake with blade-shaped fangs in a cave in Thailand.
Two herpetologists (reptile specialists) spotted the creature unknown to science on a rock during an expedition in the Thai mountains. To reach the snake, one of them, Harry Ward-Smith, climbed 15 meters high without insurance. “It was incredibly risky, but I had no other choice,” Ward-Smith explained. He managed to capture three specimens.
Evolutionary biologists from Lomonosov Moscow State University and the University of Michigan helped classify the discovered reptile. It was named the cave oligodon or Oligodon speleoserpens.
The reptile’s body is light brown in color, the head is distinguished by a lighter shade. On its upper jaw are eight teeth, which are similar in shape to blades. The snake is distinguished by the ribbed scales on its belly: this helps it climb vertical rocks.
Herpetologist Rupert Grassby-Lewis, who also took part in the expedition, said that cave oligodons live in and around caves on steep limestone cliffs. This species only feeds on the eggs of other reptiles such as geckos.
The result of the study was published in the scientific journal Vertebrate Zoology
