A novel serpent has been discovered in the jungle, and it pays homage to a famous figure in rock music.
Experts from the Field Museum in Chicago have christened a recently identified non-poisonous groundsnake from New Guinea as Lielaphis slashi, in recognition of the renowned Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash.
Measuring around 71 centimeters and sporting a reddish-brown hue, the snake is now officially recognized as Slash’s groundsnake.
For Slash, this acknowledgment holds personal significance. The Field Museum describes him as a dedicated reptile enthusiast and a strong supporter of zoos and museums.
His fondness for snakes has been evident throughout his life, even influencing his musical endeavors. In 1994, he founded the rock collective Slash’s Snakepit, which featured members from Guns N’ Roses, Alice in Chains, and Jellyfish.
Expressing his gratitude, Slash remarked, “I am extremely honored and humbled to have Lielaphis slashi from New Guinea named after me. It is really exciting. I never would have imagined this moment would arrive.”
The Field Museum’s associate curator of herpetology, Sara Ruane, who authored a paper in Zootaxa detailing the new species, shared her early passion for reptiles. She mentioned how an article featuring Slash holding a python sparked her idea of naming a snake after him.
Ruane had the privilege of showing Slash around the Field Museum during his visit to Chicago, where she found common ground with him in their shared love for snakes and natural history.
The newly discovered Slash’s groundsnake was first encountered in 2006 during fieldwork in New Guinea by Chris Austin, a professor and curator of herpetology at Louisiana State University’s Museum of Natural Science.
Genetic testing revealed that the snake, Lielaphis slashi, stands apart from other species within the same genus. Although not posing a threat to humans, the snake is believed to prey on small lizards and reptile eggs using its enlarged teeth.
Despite its harmless nature, conservationists warn that the species faces risks from human activities such as coffee farming and mining, which encroach upon its forest habitat.
Ruane emphasized that naming the snake after Slash serves not only as a tribute to the rock legend but also as a means to draw attention to the ecosystem in New Guinea that is still being studied by scientists.
In conclusion, while Guns N’ Roses may have once been dubbed “the most dangerous band in the world,” this particular Slash’s groundsnake represents a fascinating addition to the natural world, quietly navigating the forests of New Guinea and securing a lasting place in the realm of rock and roll legends.