Guess what? Scientists in central China's Hunan Province have just discovered a new species of snake, and it's got some serious style! 🐍✨ Meet Achalinus nanshanensis, a shiny odd-scaled snake rocking a bright yellow neck collar. This eye-catching feature set it apart from the crowd during fieldwork between 2022 and 2023. These non-venomous, earthworm-eating snakes are like the unicorns of the reptile world. They dwell in caves and their scales shimmer colorfully under light—talk about making a fashion statement! ✨ Found only in the subtropical forests near streams after rain in the counties of Chengbu and Tongdao, this new addition brings the global count of Achalinus species to 28. Pretty cool, right? Professor Mo Xiaoyang from Hunan Normal University, one of the researchers, shared the excitement: \"The bright yellow collar was a surprise. It's not every day you stumble upon a snake with such flair!\" The genus Achalinus is mainly found in China, Vietnam, and Japan, making it a real gem of the Asian wilderness. With this discovery, who knows what other hidden treasures are waiting to be found? 🌏 Next time you're exploring nature, keep an eye out—you might just spot something extraordinary! 👀
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
