In the depths of the jungle, a newly discovered snake from New Guinea has been named after a famous rock musician. Researchers at the Field Museum in Chicago have dubbed the recently identified non-venomous groundsnake as Lielaphis slashi, paying homage to the renowned Guns N’ Roses guitarist, Slash.
Measuring approximately 71 centimeters in length, the reddish-brown reptile is now officially recognized as Slash’s groundsnake. The guitarist, known for his lifelong passion for reptiles, zoos, and museums, expressed his gratitude for the honor bestowed upon him.
In a statement released by the Field Museum, Slash described himself as a “long-time herpephile,” highlighting his deep interest in reptiles and amphibians. His connection to snakes is evident not only in his personal life but also in his musical endeavors, such as forming the rock supergroup Slash’s Snakepit in 1994.
Sara Ruane, the Field Museum’s associate curator of herpetology and lead author of the Zootaxa paper detailing the new species, shared her early fascination with reptiles, which was sparked by a magazine feature showcasing Slash with his pet python. Ruane’s dream of naming a snake after Slash materialized years later, emphasizing the privilege and joy of discovering and naming a new species.
The journey to identify Slash’s groundsnake began in 2006 when Chris Austin, a herpetology professor at Louisiana State University, encountered the species during fieldwork in New Guinea. The island’s rich biodiversity provided a challenging yet rewarding environment for scientific exploration, with the newly named groundsnake standing out among its counterparts in the region.
Genetic analysis confirmed the distinctiveness of Lielaphis slashi within its genus, shedding light on its unique characteristics and ecological role. While the snake poses no threat to humans and primarily feeds on small lizards and reptile eggs, its habitat faces increasing pressures from human activities such as coffee farming and mining.
Beyond honoring a rock icon, naming Slash’s groundsnake serves as a reminder of the fragile ecosystems that scientists strive to protect and understand. Through this tribute, researchers aim to raise awareness of the importance of snakes in maintaining ecological balance and biodiversity.
Despite the band’s rebellious reputation in the 1980s, the legacy of Guns N’ Roses lives on in a more peaceful form through the namesake forest snake silently navigating the jungles of New Guinea.