A novel serpent has been discovered in the jungle, named after a famous figure in rock music.
Researchers at the Field Museum in Chicago have christened a recently found non-poisonous groundsnake from New Guinea as Lielaphis slashi in tribute to Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash.
The snake, measuring about 71 centimeters in length and sporting a reddish-brown hue, is now formally recognized as Slash’s groundsnake.
This recognition holds personal significance for Slash, who is described by the Field Museum as a “lifelong reptile enthusiast and a strong advocate for zoos and museums.”
His passion for snakes has been evident in both his public persona and musical endeavors. In 1994, he founded the rock ensemble Slash’s Snakepit, which featured members from Guns N’ Roses, Alice in Chains, and Jellyfish.
In a statement from the Field Museum, Slash expressed his gratitude, stating, “I am extremely honored and humbled to have Lielaphis slashi from New Guinea named after me. It is really exciting. I never would have imagined this moment would arrive.”
An enduring fascination with snakes
Sara Ruane, the Field Museum’s associate curator of herpetology and lead author of a Zootaxa paper detailing the new species, shared that her interest in reptiles began at a young age.
“By fifth grade, I was already telling my teacher I’m going to be a herpetologist when I grow up,” she recounted to CBC News.
At the age of 12, Ruane received a copy of Reptiles Magazine featuring Slash holding his pet reticulated python on the cover.
“I thought, you know, I’d love to name a snake after Slash. I thought that would be really fun,” she remarked.
In an interview in the magazine, Slash discussed his fondness for reptiles, museums, zoos, and natural history. Years later, as a scientist involved in naming newly discovered reptile species, Ruane remembered the article.
“To me, just getting to describe and name a species is a huge privilege,” Ruane emphasized. “That’s something that most people never get to do.”
Designating the snake in honor of Slash, she added, was the culminating touch to the project.
Ruane mentioned that she had the opportunity to guide Slash around the Field Museum during his visit to Chicago.
“It was just like talking to anybody else who really loves snakes and reptiles and natural history,” she remarked.