Discovered a new snake species in Vietnam

French, Vietnamese, Chinese and German scientists have discovered and published a new snake species for science in Zootaxa No. 3498 (September 2012) based on specimens collected in China and Vietnam. South and Laos.

Dr. Nguyen Quang Truong, Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources (Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology) said October 4.

The new snake has the scientific name of Oligodon nagao David, Nguyen, Nguyen, Jiang, Chen, Teynié & Zigler, 2012; It is named after the Nagao Nature Environment Fund (Japan) for its support for biodiversity research and conservation in developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

Scientists have discovered the new snake species during field surveys in southern China, northeastern Vietnam and central Laos.

The snake is nagao Oligodon nagao

According to the original description, the Oligodon nagao snake has a long head and body from 561 to 680 mm; long tail 92-107mm; there are 15 or 17 rows of body scales in the middle of the back; males with uncut penis but have two small branches at the tip; 7-8 upper lip scales; 184-193 abdominal scales; anal scale undivided; upper body is light gray with dark spots, the middle part is yellowish-brown, butterfly-shaped: 27-37 spots on the back, 5-8 spots on the tail; Creamy belly with many small black spots.

'Na-gao snake species live closely with limestone mountain habitats at a height of 170-470m above sea level. The snake is now distributed in Lang Son and Cao Bang (Vietnam), Quang Tay (China) and Kham Muon (Laos). This is the 20th species of snake species that was recorded in Vietnam, the 14th in China and the 13th in Laos , 'Truong said.