Researchers have discovered a new pitviper species with emerald-green scales and eyelashes among limestone rocks in the forests of Trang province, Thailand.
Trimeresurus Ciliaris, a new species of colorful, eyelashed pitviper was found in a forest near the Thailand-Malaysian border. According to a study in the journal Vertebrate Zoology, upon seeing the reptile, scientists began a search for similar-looking snakes.
They were successful. In close proximity to the large limestone bolder, which was cloaked in dense vegetation—where the first had been found—the researchers uncovered four more of these snakes. Upon close inspection and thorough examination, they concluded they had discovered a new species.
Characteristics of the pitviper with eyelashes
The limestone eyelash pitviper is relatively small. It is only around 17 inches in length, the study states. The jewel-like viper has an emerald green body decorated by dark red cross-bands. Its head is triangular, and its eyes are olive green.
“It has a beautiful coloration,” co-author of the study Nikolay Poyarkov told McClatchy News, adding that it “helps the viper to hide on the surfaces of limestone rocks covered in mosses, lichens and so on.”
The limestone eyelash pitviper is venomous, Poyarkov said, but the study clarifies that the nature of the venom is “unknown.” It was also revealed that the snake ate frogs and small geckos while in captivity, but its diet in the wild is unknown.
“The snake looked pretty cute”
The species name, “ciliaris,” is a Latin adjective derived from the Latin word “cilium,” meaning “an eyelash.” It was given this name because of the characteristic small eye scales in this new species. They resemble eyelashes in the lateral view.
“Normally [pitvipers] have one large scale above the eye which looks a bit like an eyebrow and gives these snakes a serious look,” Poyarkov told McClatchy News. However, the new species has “numerous small, slightly protruding scales above the eye which looked more like eyelashes.”
As a result, “the snake looked pretty cute,” he said.
These particular snakes have not been found outside a very narrow limestone area of the Trang and Satun provinces in Thailand, the study claims. Both of these provinces are around 500 miles southwest of Bangkok, Thailand’s capital.
“A similar-looking pitviper” has been recorded in the neighboring Malaysian state of Perlis, the study stated. Researchers have not confirmed these sightings as the limestone eyelash pitviper but said it is “highly likely” that the new species exists in Perlis, too.
The limestone eyelash pitviper was identified by its coloring, scale pattern, and genitalia, the study confirmed.
It was emphasized that the scientists will have to carry out further studies on the species to better understand its diet, distribution, population size, and other information.