Anguiculus dicaprioi, a species of snake-otherwise known as “DiCaprio’s Himalayan snake“-is a newly discovered snake species found in the Western Himalayas, which is indeed very exciting to herpetologists and conservationists alike. The newly classified snake was named after actor and environmentalist Leonardo DiCaprio in appreciation of his commitment to Global Environmental Advocacy. This discovery brings into light the need to preserve the unique biodiversity of the Himalayas and sheds light on the great contribution of DiCaprio himself to conservation.
The snake was first seen in the deep of the Western Himalayas during the 2020 lockdown enforced through the COVID-19 pandemic. A collaborative research team driven into fieldwork by Virender Bhardwaj from India, Germany, and the United Kingdom extends their studies to parts of Nepal, including Himachal Pradesh in India. Their determination in research at a time when there was almost complete restriction across different parts of the world shows the resilience and importance of research.
Reaching approximately 22 inches in length, the Anguiculus dicaprioi displays several distinctive features that are different from other species. The snake has a large collar marked by small, dark brown spots, a heavy skull, and a prominent domelike snout. It inhabits elevations of about 6,000 feet, being primarily active during late May through August when the weather is more temperate in this high-altitude region.
The species is named in honor of Leonardo DiCaprio’s tireless work over two decades in preventing climate change, protecting biodiversity, and reducing pollution. DiCaprio has used his platform to bring awareness to environmental issues. He went one step further by directly funding on-the-ground conservation and research projects on every continent. The scientific name “DiCaprio’s Himalayan snake” reminds one that the positive impacts of famous public figures on conservation efforts help to bridge the gap between scientific discovery and public interest.
It was through the detailed DNA analysis and broad morphological studies on Anguiculus dicaprioi that this particular species was classified under a new genus, Anguiculus, which in Latin translates into “small snake”.
This classification, according to a study published in Scientific Reports, represents the complexity of the Himalayan ecosystem and its rich and often-overlooked biodiversity. Renowned researchers who contributed to the paper include Zeeshan A. Mirza, H. T. Lalremsanga, Saunak Pal, Gernot Vogel, Patrick D. Campbell, and Harshil Patel-his works, put together, add quite a lot of species to the catalog of the Himalayan fauna. Anguiculus dicaprioi calls for continuous research and conservation in such biodiversity hotspots as the Himalayas, which are undeniably at heightened risk due to the impacts of climate change and habitat degradation. The scientific community and environmental advocates will continue to bring to the forefront those unknown, unprotected species.
