New Snake Species With Long Snout Discovered

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A new species of snake with an unusually long snout has been discovered in India, adding to the country's rich biodiversity

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Named the long-snouted vine snake (Ahaetulla longirostris), the species was identified after two specimens were found in distinct regions: Bihar and Meghalaya

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The discovery, published in the Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity, introduces a previously unknown member of the vine snake family

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It all began in December 2021, when scientists Sourabh Verma and Soham Pattekar encountered a 4-foot-long dead snake near the Valmiki Tiger Reserve in Bihar

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The snake's exceptionally long snout caught their attention, leading them to collect samples for DNA analysis, which confirmed it as a new species

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The long-snouted vine snake is distinguished by its slender, elongated body and vibrant colour

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These snakes can reach up to 4 feet in length and typically display bright green or orange-brown hues with an orange belly

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This newly discovered species also offers valuable insights into the evolution and ecological role of vine snakes

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