- Researches have discovered a non-venomous species of snake in Mizoram.
- According to the taxonomic journal, Zootaxa, the newly discovered Mizo rain snake (Smithophis atemporalis) has been named after eminent British herpetologist, Malcom A Smith, for his contribution to Indian herpetology.
- The species looks like a slender elongated common water snake with black-white-yellowish scales. They frequent streams close to human habitation in Mizoram and are usually seen after the rain, thus deriving the name, the Mizo rain snake.
- The finding is new for researchers, but locals have known about this species for decades. They locally referred to it as ‘ruahlawmrul’, a rain-loving snake.
- The snake lacks temporal scales (specific enlarged scales in the temporal region of the head located behind the eyes), which is characterised as extremely rare for the snake family. The maximum-recorded length of the species is 655 mm (approximately 2.5 feet).
- Scientists considered the new genus as a part of the genus Rhabdops, which has two species – the Olive forest snake found in the Western Ghats and the bicoloured forest snake from northeast India.
