New snake species discovered in Dak Nong, Vietnam

While on a field trip in Dak Glong district, Dak Nong province, scientific researchers discovered a new species of snake .

People while casting nets to catch fish in a flooded forest in the Dak Krong river basin, the section flowing through Dak Glong district, Dak Nong province, caught 2 snakes.

These people then handed over these two snakes to a group of scientists doing field research in the area, including Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Sang, biologist Le Van Manh (working at the Institute of Tropical Biology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology), Dr. Vo Thi Dieu Hien (Nguyen Tat Thanh University, Ho Chi Minh City) and a number of international scientists.

Flooded forests and rubber plantations, where snakes of a new species were caught in Vietnam. (Photo: Nguyen Ngoc Sang).

Scientists have realized that these two snakes have unusual scale characteristics, different from the scales of previously recorded snakes.

Previously, another snake was also captured by local people at a rubber plantation in the area and handed over to scientists. This snake is similar to two snakes caught in the flooded forest.

The upper face of a new snake species discovered in Vietnam. (Photo: Nguyen Ngoc Sang, Le Van Manh, Vo Thi Dieu Hien).

After DNA analysis, scientists confirmed that these three snakes, including two males and one female, are indeed a new species of snake , scientifically named Myrrophis dakkrongensis, also known as the snake. Dak Krong Bong (or Dak Krong Mud Snake) . This species is named after the Dak Krong River, where the first individual was discovered.

Currently, this snake species has only been discovered in Dak Glong district of Vietnam, but researchers believe that Myrrophis dakkrongensis may also appear in other areas in the Dak Krong river basin.

The underside of a new snake species discovered in Vietnam. (Photo: Nguyen Ngoc Sang, Le Van Manh, Vo Thi Dieu Hien).

Experts distinguish these snakes as belonging to a new species based on average size, scale color and DNA analysis results. Scientists said the male snakes caught were 40 to 43cm in size, while the female snakes were 46cm long. These snakes have short tails.

Caught snakes have smooth, dark brown to black scales on the back and sides, the underside is cream to light yellow with 3 dark brown stripes. The snake also has two clear yellow to orange stripes running along its body.

The researchers also said male specimens are distinguished by their short, forked, and spiny genitals, called hemipenis . Notably, the female snake was found in a pregnant state, with 12 well-developed embryos.

Scientists' research on the new snake species found in Vietnam was published in the journal "Vertebrate Zoology" , one of the most prestigious animal science journals in the world, with a team of Editors include famous scientists and biologists from around the world.

The genus of snakes (also known as mud snakes, comb snakes) is a genus of snakes belonging to the water snake family. This is a genus of non-venomous or mildly venomous snakes that are not dangerous to humans.