Researchers Discover a New, Purple Snake Atop a Mountain…Yes, Purple!

As with so many scientific discoveries, finding a new, purple snake species high in the mountains was purely by accident! One of their porters found the metallic purple snake as the team returned from collecting data on disease-causing fungi in frogs. That’s right, they were studying frogs and found a new, metallic purple snake. How exciting!

While nature’s color palette never ceases to amaze, purple is rare in animals.

After the team sent photos and a detailed description of the snake to their London-based team with the Zoological Society of London, they believed the snake could be a new species. However, the team needed more information to confirm they had something special.

Genetic testing in conjunction with morphology confirmed that the snake is a new species. This newest member of the Rhabdophis genus, known as keelback snakes, is the first new reptile described in the region in over ten years.

The remoteness of the Hoang Lien Range in northwest Vietnam makes scientific research more difficult. It’s possible the area holds many more animals that science has yet to discover. The H’mong keelback snake may be the tip of a very large iceberg.

Why Did They Name it the H’mong Keelback Snake?

After genetic and morphological research determined it was new to science, the next step was naming it. The H’mong people who live in the mountains of Vietnam were instrumental in helping the team complete their work. In fact, two of the H’mong people – Chang A Sung and Pao A Vang – originally encountered the metallic purple snake. The scientific team decided to name it in honor of the H’mong people, because of the numerous ways they contributed to multiple expeditions’ success over the years.

You can see photos and read more about their scientific process in confirming and describing the H’mong keelback snake at the Zoological Society of London.

What is a Keelback Snake?

Keelbacks are unique in the snake world. Many of the 34 keelback snake species, including the newly described H’mong keelback, can produce venom. They’re a fascinating group of snakes. Some species can store toxins from toads and firefly larvae in specialized neck glands. They then secrete those toxins when they bite their prey.

Typically, keelback snakes are thin snakes that grow to between two and four feet long. These semiaquatic snakes usually eat a variety of amphibians and smaller prey. However, poisonous toads make up a large portion of their diet.

Why is Research Laking for Reptiles?

Reptiles, especially snakes, are elusive. They camouflage well, have low metabolisms that don’t require daily foraging, and are dead silent in many cases. In addition, research in mountainous regions with dense vegetation is difficult, slow, and expensive. When you add the discomfort many people have regarding snakes, it makes sense that research is not as thorough as with other species.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © seanemarie/Shutterstock.com