Scientists discovered three new species of ground snakes in unexpected places; hidden under Ecuador's churches, graveyards, and churches.

Scientists found the three new Cryptozoic snakes in distant towns in Andres, Ecuador.

According to ScienceDaily, the Cryptozoic snakes are archaic-looking, small and cylindrical.

The snakes should have been living in cloud forests, underground or deep crevices, but the new species of ground snakes were unusually seen in the graveyards and churches.

A teacher of the town, Diego Piñán, shared that he used to see many dead snakes on the roadside when he first arrived at El Chaco in 2013.

He added that machetes or stones might hit the dead snakes.

Diego, appreciating and understanding the significance of snakes, is now protecting snakes cautiously. He preserved the snakes in alcohol-filled jars, later identified as new species.

Unexpected places

The study said that the remarkable discovery was published in the journal ZooKeys and named after institutions or individuals supporting the conservation of remote cloud forests in the tropics.

Scientists led by Alejandro Arteaga discovered a new species of snakes.

Artega is a grantee of The Explorers Club Discovery Expeditions and a researcher at Khamai Foundation.

Moreover, it explained that the ground snakes are rich globally, with 150 species known.

But, the kind of ground snakes and other snakes are rare and shy, preferring to hide underground or unseen in their lifetime, which makes people in seeing or hear less about their existence.

However, it might be remarkable to find new snakes in churches and graveyards, but the study explained that the coexistence of ground snakes and villagers living in the same place, city, or town, is not good news for the snakes.

Arteaga revealed the following in his study:

  • The majority of the native habitats of snakes were destroyed.
  • Because of the destroyed habitats, ground snakes were forced to find shelter in spaces commonly used by humans, dead or alive, which the study shared that said snakes could be killed on sight.

The study noted that two new snakes could face a high-risk extinction

Discovery

The contribution of the community is essential to preserve and protecting snakes.

Furthermore, naming snakes can raise awareness and recognize the snakes' existence.

According to the study, naming the snakes will honor the contribution of scientists, researchers, and institutions who have taken part in protecting and preserving wildlife.

The Atractus

The discovery was named to honor The Explorers Club Discovery Expedition Grants,  a scientific program highlighting the importance of improving humanity and life on earth. They initiate grant programs supporting climate change mitigation and prevention of extinction of cultures and species.

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The Atractus zgap

The organization aims to conserve natural habitats and unknown and endangered species globally. From the name itself, it was named to honor the Zoological Society for the Conservation of Species and Populations (ZGAP).

They initiate programs supporting young scientists' fieldwork who aspire to conservation projects in their countries or communities.

Atractus michaelsabini

It was named after Michael Sabin. He is a young lover of the environment and nature and the grandson of American conservationist-philanthropist Andrew Sabin.

Their families support field research on endangered and threatened animals. They have contributed to protecting critical habitats globally.

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