Posted on 04/08/2021 9:43:55 AM PDT by Red Badger
The new species was once believed to be another, much less deadly snake.
A deadly new snake has been discovered after spending decades masquerading as a much less dangerous species, according to researchers — who named the snake after a shape-shifting serpent goddess from a Chinese folktale.
The new species is a type of krait snake found in Southwest China and northern Myanmar and had previously been categorized as the many-banded krait (Bungarus multicinctus). However, morphological and genetic differences, as well as a particularly painful and deadly bite, were enough to classify this reptile as its own species.
The researchers named the new snake Suzhen's krait (Bungarus suzhenae) after Bai Su Zhen — a powerful snake goddess from a traditional Chinese myth.
"It is very dangerous," study researcher Gernot Vogel, of the Society for Southeast Asian Herpetology in Germany, told Live Science. "Because kraits are highly lethal, understanding their species diversity and geographic distribution is vital for saving human lives."
Researchers hope the new classification will enable local communities to identify the deadly snake and avoid potentially fatal interactions, as well as help scientists to develop a new antivenom to treat Suzhen's krait bites.
(Excerpt) Read more at livescience.com ...
Get bitten by that one and you will have a smile on your face for 24 hours or so!
The thing is that the original snake is not harmless. I don’t believe any Krait is harmless. It was just less harmless than this new species.
kinda like demonrats...
“cloaca”
I did not know that word. But it sounds...efficient.
Krait Balls of Fire!
How long before the ChiComs are sending these here?
Works well for birds, reptiles and amphibians. Maybe even marsupials.
I’m confused... Is this about Pelousy or Feinstein...
Hey, we’re trying to keep this a family friendly channel here.
The Bidens are a family Just sayin’.
“The new species was once believed to be another, much less deadly snake.”
Reptilian appropriation.
Had it. Done it. I think they called it Suzhen chicken.
otoh, linking a deadly chameleon snake with China seems an rather appropriate association
You mean “Mr. Wait-a-Minute”.
Hey sarge, what kinda snake is that?
Mr. Wait-a-Minute.
Wait-a-Minute?
Yeh, he bites you, you may as well sit down ‘cause a minute is about all you got left.
Many thanks to 1stSgt Right-on Washington. Right on mofo!
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