The Anguiculus DiCaprio, a new snake species named after Leonardo DiCaprio, was discovered in the Western Himalayas. It is also known as “DiCaprio’s Himalayan Snake” in honour of the environmental conservation efforts of the renowned “Great Gatsby” actor Leonardo DiCaprio.

Discovery by the International Research Team

The discovery was the collaborative fruition of researchers from India, Germany, and the United Kingdom, namely Virender K Bhardwaj, Saunak Pal, Gernot Vogel, Patrick D Campbell, and Harshil Patel. It was part of a larger documentation project to record and classify the lesser-known reptile species in the mainly unexplored Western Himalayan region, which lacks records and observation.

Source: Virender K Bhardwaj

Key researchers, such as Virender K. Bhardwaj of Himachal Pradesh, have reported that the snake was first spotted in the backyard by pure chance during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. This triggered a three-year expedition to search for the snake and another genus of snakes that were possibly not recorded and observed.

An extensive field survey was conducted in Himachal Pradesh, Nepal, and other under-documented areas. The initial goal was to catalogue existing species, but the discovery of Anguiculus DiCaprio was unexpected.

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The snake was classified as a new species as it was observed to have morphological differences contrasting the other species in that region. The international collaboration and research from Zeeshan A. Mirza of Germany aided in the DNA gene sequencing, a critical process to classify a new species featuring how DNA sequencing highlighted the snake’s characteristics differed from other known species, specifically Liopeltis rappi, previously believed to be similar. Saunak Pal from Newcastle University provided an understanding of the ecological and biogeography of the snake, which helped cement the new genus, Anguiculus.

The findings were published in “Scientific Reports”, with the research having resolved a major taxonomical problem of the last 180 years between the genera Liopeltis and Gongylosoma, proving that these are, in fact, two different genus types.

The study found the snake living around 6,000 feet above sea level, recorded to be around 22 inches only “small-sized,” with a “broad collar with small dark brown spots,” a “robust skull,” and a “steeply domed snout.”

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Honouring DiCaprio’s Environmental Efforts

DiCaprio’s dedication to environmental advocacy and his financial backing for conservation efforts were key factors in honouring him with this tribute. The study also proposed the common name “DiCaprio’s Himalayan snake” to further acknowledge his contributions to wildlife conservation.

His production and appearance in documentaries such as “Before the Flood” and “The 11th Hour” push these messages, which include biodiversity, the adverse and perilous effects of climate change, and the danger of environmental ignorance and its consequences.

He played a huge part in popularizing these ideas and bringing them to the forefront of the public consciousness and to honour him, the new snake species was named after Leonardo DiCaprio.

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