A new venomous green snake, named Trimeresurus mayaae or Maya’s Pit Viper, has been discovered recently at the Umroi Military Station in the Ri-Bhoi district of Meghalaya. The snake has sparked interest due to its striking similarities with the Pope’s Pit Viper, yet significant differences too.
Characteristics of Maya’s Pit Viper
Maya’s Pit Viper measures approximately 750mm in length and bears a strong resemblance to the Pope’s Pit Viper. The primary differentiation is the eye color. Additionally, the two species have distinct hemepenis, the copulating organ, adding another distinguishing factor. According to herpetologists, this newly discovered species is relatively common in Meghalaya, Mizoram, and even Guwahati.
Understanding Pit Vipers
The newly found Maya’s Pit Viper is a species of the pit viper, a subset of subfamily Crotalinae. These snakes possess unique traits exemplary of their classification. They have two movable fangs and a heat-sensitive pit organ located between each eye and nostril, enabling them to accurately target their warm-blooded prey.
Pit vipers can be found in various environments, from deserts to rainforests, and can be terrestrial, arboreal, or aquatic. Some species reproduce through egg-laying, whereas others bear live young. The venomous pit viper species list includes the hump-nosed pit viper, mangrove pit viper, Malabar pit viper, Russell’s viper, and saw-scaled viper.
The Russell’s Viper and the Saw-scaled Viper are among the most venomous species in India and are members of the big four poisonous and deadliest snakes in the country. These species account for the majority of snake bites in India.
The Significance of the Discovery
The discovery of a new venomous snake holds significant implications for public health. In a country where approximately 1.2 million people have succumbed to snakebite in the past two decades, and many others have lost limbs, understanding a new snake species and its venom is crucial.
Venom is a complicated protein, typically unique to each species. Thus, the discovery of a new species aids in the study of its venom and its potential impact on human life.
King Cobra’s Nesting Habits
An interesting aspect of venomous snakes is King Cobra’s nesting habit. Unlike other snakes, King Cobra, found in South and Southeast Asia, builds its own nest. This behavior is because it is oviparous, meaning it lays eggs. The King Cobra lays its eggs and guards the nest until they hatch, making it unique in the snake world. This species has been listed vulnerable in the IUCN Red List since 2010 due to habitat destruction.
