A team of scientists from India, the UK, and the USA have discovered a new species of snake in Assam – the first such find from the state in over a century.
- The new species is characterised by a red mark that resembles a “bindi”. News of the discovery has been published in the animal taxonomist journal Zootaxa.
- The new species has been named ‘Rhabdophis bindi’.
- The species is named due to its unique red marking on the back of the neck reminiscent of the ‘red beauty spot’ adorning foreheads of Indian women called ‘bindi’.
- The new species has been been discovered in’ Barail Hill Range in Cachar district of Assam.
