New Snake Species Named After Legendary Guitarist Discovered in Papua New Guinea

A new species of terrestrial snake, named Lielaphis slashi, has been discovered in Papua New Guinea, with its scientific name honoring the legendary guitarist Slash (Saul Hudson) of the iconic rock band Guns N' Roses. The discovery was announced by an international team of researchers from the United States, Australia, Papua New Guinea, and the United Kingdom in the journal Zootaxa in August 2026. The identification was made by combining old specimen data with modern DNA analysis. The naming of the species stems from the personal experience of Sara Ruane, one of the researchers involved in the study. A lifelong fan of Guns N' Roses, Ruane was inspired after seeing a photograph of Slash holding a python in a reptile magazine. Slash was chosen not only for his fame as a guitarist but also for his known interest in snakes, museums, zoos, and natural history, as well as his years of promoting and advocating for snakes through various media. Physically, L. slashi is not striking in color or pattern. It features a plain reddish-brown coloration on its back, with its underside ranging from white to cream. The snake has a simple head shape and typically measures between 60-70 centimeters in length. The specimens studied were collected from Utai Village in Sanduan Province and Tanjung Kalibobo in Madang Province, Papua New Guinea. Some specimens were initially gathered by herpetologist Chris Austin during fieldwork in 2006. This terrestrial snake is nocturnal, often found shortly after sunset at the base of large trees as it searches for prey. Its body color allows it to blend seamlessly with the soil, and its ability to move quickly makes it difficult to observe in its natural habitat. Knowledge about the behavior of this species remains limited. The discovery highlights the rich biodiversity of Papua New Guinea and underscores the importance of continued biological research in the region. Naming species after public figures can also serve to raise general public interest in scientific discovery. Source: Mongabay Indonesia