Discover new snake species in Vietnam

Russian and Vietnamese scientists have just announced a new snake discovered in Loc Bac forest area (Lam Dong) named Coluberoelaps. This breed resembles a group of water snakes with no fangs, venom and 14 upper jaw teeth.

Due to the morphological characteristics of the snake species, which are similar to both snake and water snake groups, the breed name is formed from the latin name of the two above groups: Coluber and cobra (Elaps). Like

Snake Nguyen Van Sang Coluberoelaps nguyenvansangi.(Photo: Nikolai Orlov)

new Coluberoelaps resembles a group of cobra in a very small, short head; very small eyes, round pupils; no cheek scales but it is similar to the water snake group in that there is no fang and no venom glands, there are 14 upper jaw teeth.

The name of the species is named after Dr. Nguyen Van Sang (Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources), who obtained the standard sample and at the same time acknowledged his great contributions in the study of reptiles and frogs. imitation in Vietnam. Vietnamese name of this species is Snake Nguyen Van Sang, scientific name is Coluberoelaps nguyenvansangi Orlov, Kharin, Ananjeva, Nguyen & Nguyen, 2009.

The main identity is 393 mm long body, 107 mm long tail; no fangs and no venom glands; 14 upper jaw teeth; body scales smooth, 15 scales around the middle of the body; 267 abdomen scales, 81 pairs of tail scales; The middle of the body has dark brown streaks, the sides are yellow brown, the ribs are dark brown, the belly is white.

The standard sample of this species was collected during a survey on biodiversity in Lam Dong in 2003 funded by WWF Indochina.