After scientists on an island in Papua New Guinea saw a new snake species fighting with a hawk, a new species of snake was discovered. When scientist Fred Kraus visited Sudest Island (also called Vanatinai and Tagula Island), he found the coal-black tree snake, or Dendrelaphis anthracina, which may reach a length of 4 feet, 8 inches. Kraus wrote about his visit to four distinct islands, each of which included an unclassified reptilian species, in a research paper that was published on April 4 in the peer-reviewed journal Zootaxa.
A new snake species was recently discovered with a mysterious color and wide black eyes
Kraus’s research described the snake, also known as the Dendrelaphis genus, which includes groups of snakes that live in trees, as being unclear and difficult to understand. He noticed a huge, glossy snake species on Sudest that was distinguished by its jet-black coloring, black eyes, and white chin. The researcher also saw the snake turn the hawk into prey while studying the species, which he observed in biologically diverse locations across the island, from the jungle to man-made gardens and villages. Kraus discovered six elusive creatures, including one wrapped around a 46-inch hawk. The snake’s defensive reaction immobilized the hawk after it tried to attack.
Although the study indicates that it may exist on other small islands, the snake species, which gets its name from a Latin phrase that roughly translates to “coal black,” has only been discovered on Sudest Island thus far. Kraus also identified new snake species native to Misima, Rossel, and Woodlark Islands, all of which are in Papua New Guinea. Although these slightly smaller 4-foot, 1-inch reptiles did not have the same glossy finish as Sudest’s coal-black tree snakes, he observed other massive snakes with black eyes, white chins, and black coloring on Misima Island. Called Dendrelaphis atra, or the atra tree snake, after the Latin word for black, these snakes are believed to eventually turn matte black.
They have a more gray-brown color before they mature, according to Kraus’ study. The species, which is also found in communities, gardens, and rainforest ridges, was initially mistaken for the one on Sudest until distinctive characteristics like size, color, and scale pattern were examined. Unusually, atra snakes were discovered in places where people had made significant development, including next to buildings and on a mine site. The atra tree snake, like the coal-black tree snake, has only been discovered on its original island, Misima. Furthermore, many people may not be aware that Kraus discovered Dendrelaphis melanargus, also known as the black net tree snake, on Rossel Island. This 4-foot, 11-inch lizard is easy to identify due to its dark tongue, net-like pattern on smooth, dark scales, and orange eyes.
Where does the name for this new snake species come from?
Named after the Greek terms for “black” and “net,” the species was once more discovered to live in the island’s natural rainforest as well as man-made structures, such as the abandoned location of the former settlement of Bibikea. In addition, the species has only been found on one island. It is also important to note that Dendrelaphis roseni, also known as Rosen’s Tree Snake, is the smallest of the newly discovered species at about 3 feet 5 inches. It is found on Woodlark Island.
The snake species, which Kraus discovered exclusively on Woodlark Island, was named after his late friend, conservationist and snake scientist Clark Rosen, according to the newspaper. Like the atra tree snake, the Rosen’s tree snake turns black as it ages from a pale juvenile. The Rendang’s tree snake can be found in rainforests, human-tended gardens, and settlements, just like the other species on neighboring islands.
