Scientists have discovered a new species of cave snake with razor-sharp teeth in a cave in Thailand, reports the Daily Mail.
Two herpetologists (reptile specialists) spotted a creature unknown to science on a rock during an expedition in the Thai mountains. To reach the snake, one of them, Harry Ward-Smith, climbed 15 meters without a safety net. “It was incredibly risky, but I had no choice,” explained Ward-Smith. He managed to catch three specimens.
Evolutionary biologists from Moscow State University. M.V. Lomonosov and the University of Michigan helped classify the discovered reptile. It is called a cave oligodon or Oligodon speleoserpens.
The body of the reptile is light brown, the head is a lighter shade. Its upper jaw has eight teeth that are shaped like blades. The snake is distinguished by ribbed scales on its abdomen: this helps it climb vertical rocks.
Herpetologist Rupert Grasby-Lewis, who also took part in the expedition, said cave oligodons live in and around caves on steep limestone cliffs. This species feeds only on the eggs of other reptiles, such as geckos.
The result of the study was published in the scientific journal Vertebrate Zoology.