A new species of non-venomous snake has been discovered in the forests of New Guinea and named after Slash, the guitarist of the rock band Guns N' Roses. The discovery is the result of years of research, reports infohub.kz.
The snake was first found in 2006 during a night expedition. Herpetologist Chris Austin spotted an unfamiliar specimen at the base of a large tree, but at the time, researchers did not suspect it was a distinct species.
In 2026, American researchers conducted a comparative analysis of physical traits and genetic testing. It turned out that Lielaphis slashi differs from related species not only in the number of scales but also genetically. Additionally, differences in preferred habitats were identified.
The new species reaches about 71 centimeters in length and has a reddish-brown coloration. The snake is non-venomous and harmless to humans. Members of this genus are nocturnal and hunt at the base of large trees.
The name Lielaphis slashi came about thanks to herpetologist Sara Ruane, one of the study's authors. She fell in love with Guns N' Roses in childhood, and around the same time, she developed an interest in reptiles.
When Ruane was 12, she saw Slash on the cover of Reptiles Magazine: the musician was holding his reticulated python. Later, that photo came to mind when she was choosing a name for the new species.
According to Ruane, Slash often spoke of his love for museums, zoos, and natural history, and mentioned that as a child he enjoyed looking for snakes outdoors. These interests resonated with the researcher, so she decided to immortalize the guitarist's name in the species' name.
Slash himself admitted that this honor came as a surprise. "As a longtime reptile enthusiast, I am incredibly flattered and touched. It's really cool; I never thought such a moment would come," the musician said.
Scientists still know little about Lielaphis slashi. Nocturnal snakes are good at hiding, and the forests of New Guinea remain understudied. The island boasts immense biodiversity, but its ecosystems are threatened by agriculture and mining.