New species of large, black-eyed snake discovered by scientists in Papua New Guinea

In the farthest reaches of Papua New Guinea, biodiversity keeps unfolding its hidden tales. Hidden among the lush rainforests and distant islands of the Louisiade Archipelago is Misima Island, a peaceful-looking landscape with a village existence and traces of mining operations. Yet, beneath the cover and on the overgrown trails, an incredible find was making history silently. As part of a long-term quest to learn more about the region's reptile diversity, herpetologist Fred Kraus set out on a journey that would result in a thrilling discovery—a completely new species of arboreal snake with an enigmatic black sheen and even more elusive habit.


Atra tree snake’s unique look

While surveying Misima Island's verdant landscape, Fred Kraus came across several large snakes slithering through the trees and around man-made objects. These snakes carried an intriguing appearance: matte black colouration, clear white chins, and a length of more than four feet in length. Their appearance and demeanour did not align with any documented species in the area. With patient observation and comparison, Kraus was certain in his hunch—this was a new species for science. The newly named snake, Dendrelaphis atra, would subsequently be named about its distinctive colouring



Name origin behind the Atra tree snake

The Latin-derived word "atra" simply translates to "black." The name was selected not only for the deep matte colour of the snake but also due to how its colour shifts with age. Young examples have a gray-brown coloration, while adults become much darker, almost entirely black. This is extremely rare within its genus and was one of the identifying characteristics used to separate it from closely allied species.




Atra tree snake’s rare habitat
One of the most fascinating aspects of the atra tree snake is its proximity to human habitations. Kraus encountered individuals in village gardens, ridgeline habitats, and even in the degraded parts of an old mining area. Such habitats indicate a species that can live among many things, yet it has not been extensively studied. Scientists still don't know what this snake feeds on, how it breeds, or how it lives within its environment. Despite its girth and visibility, it has been a biological mystery, living in secret alongside human existence.

Until now, the atra tree snake seems to be an island endemic, with no records of sightings on other surrounding islands or the mainland. This geographic restriction is of significant ecological and evolutionary interest. Is this a relic of a former population that once had a wider range? Or has it been evolving in isolation, uniquely moulded by the environment of Misima? Further investigation will be needed to ascertain if its range is wider than on this single island.



Discoveries in Papua New Guinea’s forests


The discovery of Dendrelaphis atra is not in itself unusual. Kraus, during the same fieldwork, also discovered three other hitherto unknown species of snakes—each on a different island of the Louisiade Archipelago. The discoveries highlight the extent to which biodiversity remains unrecorded in this region. Each finding adds another strand to the web of life of Papua New Guinea's forests and shows the significance of continuous field work in uncovering the still-hidden secrets of Earth.




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