Move over Frenchies : you are no longer the only unity with an phylogenetic relation for escargot . Unlike other serpent who dine on rodent and other small animals , five newly observe coinage found in Ecuador ’s forest also have modernise a palate for the slimy shellfish .
Although they relish the same culinary art as the French , our novel snake supporter have a very indelicate way of manage the delicacy . The jawlines of these snake in the grass have evolved to “ slurp ” the tasty morsel out of their shells . The snakes push their lower jaws into the shell , grab the flesh of the snail with curved dentition , then pull it out without shell it . The full cognitive operation take just a few minute .
The jaws of these Ecuadorian escargot - eater have change to the compass point that they are unable to eat anything besides snails or slug , which bodes well for them in the long run . They have trivial competition when it comes to food for thought because not many other snake feed on snails and slugs .
Three of the five specie were discovered during expeditions to three Ecuadorian rainforests between 2013 and 2017 . The two other metal money were discovered in another dry forest habitat . To confirm the five snakes as novel species , the squad of researcher counted scales and gathered mensuration from more than 200 museum specimens , as well as extract DNA from nearly 100 item-by-item snake in the grass .
release their work in the journalZooKeys , the scientist believe four out of the five mintage are already at risk of experimental extinction . So , they adjudicate to take preservation into their own hand and auctioned off their advert rights off . With the proceeds , they plan to buy and maintain a antecedently unprotected 72 - hectare ( 178 - Accho ) plot of domain where some of these species populate .
" We had to let people know that these coolheaded snakes exist and that these species might soon stop to exist , and we need citizenry ’s help to protect the snake ’s home ground , ” said Alejandro Arteaga in astatement .
They say name a species is not just about raising cognizance of its existence and danger of extinction , but that it offer an opportunity to honour those who have worked to protect them .
" Naming species is at the core of biology,“saidstudy co - author Dr Juan M. Guayasamin . " Not a single study is really consummate if it is not bind to the name of a species , and most species that deal the planet with us are not distinguish . "
Dipsas klebbai , named for George Jett , is the only one of the newly described species not presently threatened with extinction . Alejandro Arteaga
The Rainforest Trust ( RT ) and ornithologist Bob Ridgely won two of the highest play and got to name three of the five new snakes . Dipsas klebbaiwas nominated by RT and name for former insurance - maker and wildlife photographerGeorge Jett . Dr Ridgely namedSibon bevridgelyiin honor of his father , Bev Ridgely .
