A fresh serpent has been discovered in the jungle, and it pays homage to a renowned rock musician. Researchers at the Field Museum in Chicago have dubbed a recently recognized non-venomous groundsnake from New Guinea as Lielaphis slashi, in tribute to Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash.
The newly acknowledged reddish-brown reptile, measuring about 71 centimeters, is now formally recognized as Slash’s groundsnake. This recognition is particularly meaningful to Slash, who is described by the Field Museum as a devoted reptile enthusiast and a strong advocate for zoos and museums.
Slash’s affinity for snakes is well-known, evident from his musical endeavors like forming the rock supergroup Slash’s Snakepit in 1994. In a statement by the Field Museum, Slash expressed his gratitude for having a snake species named after him. He described it as an unexpected and thrilling honor.
Sara Ruane, the Field Museum’s associate curator of herpetology and the lead author of a Zootaxa paper detailing the new species, shared how her passion for reptiles blossomed early in life. She recalled being inspired by Slash holding his pet python on a magazine cover when she was 12. Years later, as a scientist naming newly discovered reptiles, she found it fitting to name a snake after Slash.
The newly identified snake, Slash’s groundsnake, was initially spotted in 2006 during fieldwork in New Guinea by Chris Austin, a professor of herpetology. The island’s rich biodiversity, particularly in its lush forests, poses challenges for researchers in uncovering new species like Slash’s groundsnake.
Despite its unassuming appearance, genetic analysis revealed that Lielaphis slashi is distinct from other snakes in its genus. This groundsnake, not considered harmful to humans, likely preys on small lizards and reptile eggs using its specialized teeth, unlike boa constrictors. Conservationists are concerned about the habitat of Slash’s groundsnakes being threatened by human activities like coffee farming and mining.
Naming the snake after Slash serves not only as a tribute but also as a means to draw attention to a fragile ecosystem that requires further scientific exploration. It underscores the importance of appreciating snakes for their ecological significance, contrary to the band’s notorious image as the “most dangerous band in the world” in the 1980s. Slash’s groundsnake now quietly roams New Guinea, leaving a lasting mark in the realm of rock and roll-inspired nomenclature.