In the depths of the jungle, a fresh serpent has emerged, bearing a name that resonates with rock enthusiasts.
Researchers from the renowned Field Museum in Chicago have christened a newly discovered, harmless groundsnake from New Guinea as Lielaphis slashi, paying homage to the iconic Guns N’ Roses guitarist, Slash.
This reddish-brown creature, measuring around 71 centimeters, is now formally recognized as Slash’s groundsnake.
For Slash, this acknowledgment holds personal significance. The Field Museum portrays him as a “lifelong reptile enthusiast and a dedicated advocate for zoos and museums.”
His fondness for snakes has been evident throughout his life, reflected in both his music and public persona. Notably, in 1994, he founded the rock supergroup Slash’s Snakepit, comprising members from Guns N’ Roses, Alice in Chains, and Jellyfish.
In a statement from the Field Museum, Slash referred to himself as a “long-time herpephile,” a term denoting individuals with a profound fascination for reptiles and amphibians.
Expressing his gratitude, Slash conveyed, “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.”
Sara Ruane, the Field Museum’s associate curator of herpetology and the lead author of a Zootaxa paper detailing the new species, shared her early passion for reptiles, which stemmed from childhood.
Ruane reminisced receiving a magazine featuring Slash with his pet reticulated python on the cover when she was 12. This sparked her aspiration to one day name a snake after the rock legend.
The discovery of Slash’s groundsnake dates back to 2006 when Chris Austin, a professor and herpetology curator at Louisiana State University’s Museum of Natural Science, encountered the species during fieldwork in New Guinea.
Genetic analysis revealed that Lielaphis slashi stood apart from other snakes within its genus, leading to its classification as a distinct species.
Despite its innocuous nature, conservationists warn that Slash’s groundsnake faces a perilous threat from human activities such as coffee farming and mining that encroach upon its forest habitat.
Naming the snake after Slash not only honors the musician but also sheds light on an ecosystem that remains a subject of ongoing exploration for scientists.
In essence, Slash’s groundsnake embodies a peaceful existence within the forests of New Guinea, a far cry from the raucous reputation of Guns N’ Roses.