New Snake Species Named After Leonardo DiCaprio Discovered in Western Himalayas
| Summary/Static | Details |
|---|---|
| Discovery | New species of snake discovered in the Western Himalayas. |
| Scientific Name | Anguiculus dicaprioi, named after Leonardo DiCaprio. |
| Reason for Naming | Recognition of DiCaprio's work in global climate change awareness, biodiversity conservation, and funding conservation efforts. |
| Taxonomy | Belongs to the Colubridae family, the largest snake family with 304 genera and 1,938 species. Anguiculus means "small snake" in Latin. |
| Common Names | Suggested names: "Himalayan Snake" or "DiCaprio's Himalayan Snake." |
| Habitat and Range | Found in Chamba, Kullu, Shimla (Himachal Pradesh, India), Nainital (Uttarakhand, India), and Chitwan National Park (Nepal). |
| Behavior | Non-aggressive; remains motionless when approached; no signs of biting. |
| Discovery Timeline | Three type specimens found in June 2020; additional observations from July to September 2020. |
| Significance of Western Himalayas | Distinct biodiversity compared to the Eastern Himalayas; highlights the need for further research in the region. |