Calamaria mizoramensis

Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | Species

Why in News?

The new reed snake species was identified in Mizoram recently.

It is a non-venomous reed snake species discovered in Mizoram.
Scientific Name – Calamaria mizoramensis
Genus – Calamaria, includes 69 recognised species globally, most of which are small, secretive and poorly studied.
Habitat – It inhabits humid, forested hill regions between 670 and 1,295 metres in elevation, often near human settlements.
Distribution – It is confirmed in Mizoram, whereas the possible presence is in Manipur, Nagaland, Assam, and Chittagong (Bangladesh).
Features – It is small, secretive, with a dark brown to blackish body with faint stripes and a yellow underside.
It adapted to underground habitats and poses no threat to humans.

Behaviour – It is nocturnal (active at night) and semi-fossorial (lives partially underground or under leaf litter).
Genetic comparisons – The Mizoram reed snake exhibits over 15% genetic divergence from related species, confirming its status as a new taxon.
Conservation Status – Based on current data, it is tentatively listed as ‘Least Concern’ under the IUCN Red List criteria.

References