New Snake Species Named After Leonardo DiCaprio

A newly discovered snake species in the western Himalayas has been named Anguiculus Dicaprioi, commonly known as the DiCaprio’s Himalayan snake. This species is named in honor of Hollywood actor and producer Leonardo DiCaprio, recognizing his significant contributions to conservation efforts.

A team of researchers from India, Germany, and the UK found in 2020 that one end of this species is home to a peculiar organ. It is an exploration into lesser-known snake species, part of a broader project regarding reptiles in India. Their findings were published recently in *Scientific Reports*, a peer-reviewed journal.

More Information on the Discovery

This has been named to a new genus called Anguiculus, meaning “little snake” in Latin. According to the researchers, the name “dicaprioi” was chosen since it is a patronym meant to honor DiCaprio as one of the most well-known environmental activists, as long known by raising public awareness on climate change, biodiversity loss, health impacts caused by pollution, as well as contributions toward funding field-based conservation projects and research efforts by DiCaprio.

During fieldwork in the mountainous regions of Himachal Pradesh, the team observed several brown snakes basking on a muddy road. These snakes did not move a muscle and were harmless even when approached closely. Through DNA analysis and other comparisons made with various snake species, this new species was identified.

Habitat and Characteristics

The DiCaprio’s Himalayan snake has been sighted in Himachal Pradesh parts, including Chamba and Kullu, and Nainital in Uttarakhand and Chitwan National Park in Nepal. According to HT Lalremsanga, a zoology professor at Mizoram University and on the research team, the snakes are relatively small and grow to a length of around 22 inches. They have a wide collar studded with small dark brown spots, a strong skull, and a steeply domed snout. The species ranges across an elevation of about 6,000 feets above sea level.

The authors for this study are listed as follows: Zeeshan A Mirza, Virender K Bhardwaj, Saunak Pal, Gernot Vogel, Patrick D Campbell, and Harshil Patel.

This discovery was exciting, not just for the introduction of new species to the world but also for it to shed light on the richness of biodiversity within the Himalayas and the need for efforts in conservation for this regard.