New snake species discovered in the former Đắk Nông province, Vietnam
Researchers on a field trip in the former Đắk Glong district of the former Đắk Nông province (now part of Lâm Đồng province) have discovered a new species of snake.
While casting fishing nets in a flooded forest in the Đắk Krông River basin, along the stretch that flows through the former Đắk Glong district in the former Đắk Nông province in Vietnam's Central Highlands, local residents caught two snakes.
They then handed the two snakes over to a team of scientists conducting fieldwork in the area, including Dr. Nguyễn Ngọc Sang and biologist Lê Văn Mạnh of the Institute of Tropical Biology (Viện Sinh học Nhiệt đới) under the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Dr. Võ Thị Diệu Hiền of Nguyễn Tất Thành University in Ho Chi Minh City, and several international researchers.
The flooded forest and rubber plantation where the specimens of the new species were caught in Vietnam. (Photo: Nguyễn Ngọc Sang).
The scientists noticed that the two snakes had unusual scale features that set them apart from the scales of previously recorded snake species.
Earlier, local residents had also caught another snake at a rubber plantation in the area and handed it over to the scientists. That snake resembled the two caught in the flooded forest.
Dorsal view of the new snake species discovered in Vietnam. (Photo: Nguyễn Ngọc Sang, Lê Văn Mạnh, Võ Thị Diệu Hiền).
After DNA analysis, the scientists confirmed that the three snakes, two males and one female, are indeed a new species, with the scientific name Myrrophis dakkrongensis, also known as the Đắk Krông mud snake. The species is named after the Đắk Krông River, where the first specimens were found.
So far the snake has only been found in the former Đắk Glong district, but the researchers believe Myrrophis dakkrongensis may also occur in other parts of the Đắk Krông River basin.
Ventral view of the new snake species discovered in Vietnam. (Photo: Nguyễn Ngọc Sang, Lê Văn Mạnh, Võ Thị Diệu Hiền).
The experts identified the snakes as a new species based on their average size, scale coloration and DNA analysis. According to the scientists, the males measured 40 to 43 cm, while the female was 46 cm long. The snakes have short tails.
The specimens have smooth scales that are dark brown to black on the back and sides, while the underside is cream to pale yellow with three dark brown stripes. They also have two distinct yellow-to-orange stripes running along the body.
The researchers also noted that the male specimens are distinguished by a short, forked, spiny reproductive organ known as a hemipenis. Notably, the female was pregnant, carrying 12 well-developed embryos.
The study describing the new snake species from Vietnam was published in the journal "Vertebrate Zoology", one of the world's most respected zoological journals, whose editorial board includes renowned scientists and biologists from around the world.
| Myrrophis is a genus of mud snakes in the family Homalopsidae. Its members are non-venomous or only mildly venomous and pose no danger to humans. |
Out hunting rat snakes, a man nearly grabbed a creature more dangerous than a king cobra
Hunting Indochinese rat snakes after rain, a snake catcher nearly grabbed the lookalike red-necked keelback, for which no specific antivenom is currently available in Vietnam.
The world's most venomous snakes
From Belcher's sea snake and the inland taipan to the black mamba and Russell's viper, meet some of the most venomous snakes on Earth.
Fierce but non-venomous: the snake that helps Vietnam's farmers
The radiated ratsnake, widespread in Vietnam, is aggressive but has no venom. An excellent rat catcher, it is beneficial to agriculture.
Meet the highly venomous sea snakes of Vietnam
Sea snakes are small to medium-sized ocean-dwelling snakes with paddle-like tails and venom potent enough to kill a human. Here are species found in Vietnam.
"Sea dragon" said to predict earthquakes washes up in Vietnam
Many believe an oarfish washing ashore is an omen of disasters and earthquakes. So what is the truth?
Vietnam's "four great national dogs": Which rare breeds make the list?
Vietnam's four native "national dogs" are the Bắc Hà dog, the Lài dog, the Hmong Bobtail and the Phú Quốc Ridgeback.
