Scientists have discovered a new species of venomous snakes in the Kimberley region of northwestern Australia. The newly discovered species is included in Acanthophis, a genus of highly venomous snakes commonly found in Australia, Papua New Guinea, and on some islands of Indonesia.
The snake is called 'Acanthophis cryptamydros,' which has a length of 60 cm and a diamond-shaped head. This is a typical predator species were silent and waited, constantly camouflaged until it can catch frogs, lizards or small mammals that pass in front of him.
Simon Maddock and his colleagues from the Natural History Museum and University College London identified Acanthophis cryptamydros while researching the genetic and ecological characteristics of snakes that live in Kimberley.
The range of the species known stretching from in the Wotjulum region in the west to Kununurra in the east. This species is also found several offshore islands including Koolan, Bigge, Boongaree, Wulalam, and an unnamed island in the Gulf of Talbot.
"It is unclear how many species of these snakes in the wild. But they may be very rare," said Maddock. Based on the number of several new species were discovered in Kimberley recently, the species seems to be just one of many types of snakes that have not been identified in the western part of Australia. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | THE GUARDIAN]
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| Acanthophis cryptamydros, a new deathly snake species discovered in the Kimberley region of Western Australia uses its tail like a lure. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1FoVmmU) |
Simon Maddock and his colleagues from the Natural History Museum and University College London identified Acanthophis cryptamydros while researching the genetic and ecological characteristics of snakes that live in Kimberley.
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| The Kimberley death adder’s diamond-shaped head has a distinctive scale formation. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1FoVmmU) |
"It is unclear how many species of these snakes in the wild. But they may be very rare," said Maddock. Based on the number of several new species were discovered in Kimberley recently, the species seems to be just one of many types of snakes that have not been identified in the western part of Australia. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | THE GUARDIAN]
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