A new species of brownish pit viper, Himalayanus was discovered by the Chinese scientists. The genetic analysis identified Protobothrops himalayanus as new species of snake. The discovery was published in Asian Herpetological Research.
It was first spotted at Jilong valley in Southern Tibet Autonomous Region in 2012. It was named Himalayanus in honour of its home Himalayas. The local people called the snake as the holy region of the Himalayas.
The himalayanus with a round head and copper-coloured eyes is about 1.5 metres in length, is fierce and aggressive reptile. Himalayanus is mostly found on the south flank of the Himalayas.
Currently, there are 12 valid species in the genus Protobothrops, of which seven are known to inhabit China and many of them prefer at high elevations of mountain areas.
About Research Team
Chinese Scientists carried the largest scientific study since the 1970 on wild life at Mount Everest in Tibet. As part of study, the research team led by Hu Huijian and researchers of the South China Institute of Endangered Animals started their expedition in October 2010.
The team has travelled an area of 32000 sq km and has so far discovered and identified 499 species of vertebrates, including eight species of fish.
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