Sibon irmelindicaprioae is a species of nonvenomous snake in the subfamily Dipsadinae.[1][2] It is endemic to Panama.[3][2] It was discovered by Ecuadorian biologist Alejandro Arteaga and Panamanian biologist Abel Batista in 2023.[4][2] Sibon irmelindicaprioae belongs to the genus Sibon, and subfamily Dipsadinae.[5][2] It is also called DiCaprio’s snail-eating snake.[6]
| Sibon irmelindicaprioae | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Colubridae |
| Genus: | Sibon |
| Species: | S. irmelindicaprioae
|
| Binomial name | |
| Sibon irmelindicaprioae Arteaga and Batista, 2023
| |
This snake is found in the Chocó-Darién Gap forests of eastern Panama and western Colombia. Its habitat is the humid tropical climate. DiCaprio’s Snail-eating snake was found foraging on shrubs, trees and palm fronds 200–300 cm above the ground. The S. irmelindicaprioae is named after Leonardo DiCaprio and his mother Irmelin Indenbirken. This snake hides their head and gives off a pungent odor to repel predators.
This snake is genetically similar to other snakes, but is different enough to qualify as a new species. It is described as red-eyed with vibrant brown and white striped skin. When threatened, it hides its head and releases a musky odor to ward off predators.[7][8][2]
This snake is currently threatened by gold and copper mining. [9] Arteaga and Batista describes this snake as "near threatened" based on the IUCN's Red List criteria. As of 2023 only 54% of its habitat remains.[2]
References
edit- ^ "Orange-eyed 'Leonardo DiCaprio' snake found in Panama jungle - Business News". 2023-02-02. Retrieved 2023-02-04.
- ^ a b c d e f Arteaga, Alejandro; Batista, Abel (2023). "A consolidated phylogeny of snail-eating snakes (Serpentes, Dipsadini), with the description of five new species from Colombia, Ecuador, and Panama". ZooKeys (1143): 1–49. Bibcode:2023ZooK.1143....1A. doi:10.3897/zookeys.1143.93601. PMC 10208808. PMID 37234281.
- ^ "Leonardo DiCaprio names newly discovered snake after special someone". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. Retrieved 2023-02-04.
- ^ A. O. L. Staff. "Leonardo DiCaprio names newly-discovered snake species after his favourite woman". www.aol.com. Retrieved 2023-02-04.
- ^ Trujillo, Luis (2023-02-04). "Serpiente panameña se llamará como la mamá de DiCaprio InformaT Panamá". InformaT Panamá (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-02-04.
- ^ "5 of the new species discovered in 2023". Discover Wildlife. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
- ^ Arteaga, A., & Batista, A. (2023). A consolidated phylogeny of snail-eating snakes (Serpentes, Dipsadini), with the description of five new species from Colombia, Ecuador, and Panama. ZooKeys, 1143, 1–49. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1143.93601
- ^ Virata, John (2023-01-30). "Leonardo DiCaprio Names New Snake Species After His Mother - Reptiles Magazine". reptilesmagazine.com. Retrieved 2023-02-04.
- ^ Nature and Culture Team. (2023, May 12). DiCaprio and Sheth name new species of tree-dwelling snakes, threatened by mining " Nature and culture international. Nature and Culture International " Bringing people together to save wild places. https://www.natureandculture.org/directory/dicaprio-and-sheth-name-new-species-of-tree-dwelling-snakes-threatened-by-mining/