Mizo Herpetologist-led team discovers new snake species in Myanmar

A team led by a Mizo herpetologist has unearthed a previously unknown species of snake in the Rakhine State of Myanmar. The team, spearheaded by Professor HT Lalremsanga from the Department of Zoology at Mizoram University, comprised research scholar Lalbiakzuala, Vietnamese herpetologist Tan Van Nguyen, and German herpetologist Gernot Vogel. Their groundbreaking discovery emerged during an exhaustive study of the taxonomic status of the Herpetoreas xenura species complex, spanning Mizoram, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. While conducting fieldwork at the Rakhine Yoma Elephant Wildlife Sanctuary in Rakhine, Myanmar, the team chanced upon the newfound snake species.

Dubbed Herpetoreas davidi in honor of the renowned French taxonomist Patrick David, the discovery was formally documented in the esteemed scientific research journal, European Journal of Taxonomy, Volume 932, published on May 4, 2024. Describing the characteristics of the newfound snake, Prof. HT Lalremsanga remarked, “The new snake species we’ve discovered is a rare variety. Based on our observations, it is a non-venomous serpent, measuring between 1 foot 9 inches to 11 inches in length.”

He further elaborated, “Its diet primarily consists of frogs, and its preferred habitat encompasses low-lying swamps characterized by high humidity.”