A 34-inch snake with a ‘moustache’ identified as new species in Brazil

Holotype of Leptophis mystacinus (Image: L. A. Silva)

A slender green snake, once overlooked in a Brazilian collection, has now been recognised as a new species. Scientists confirmed its identity after a fresh study of its features and DNA.

What makes this snake different from others?

Researchers identified the species within the parrot snake genus Leptophis. Its most distinctive characteristic is the bold black stripe over the snout, akin to a moustache. The snake also has a long dark line behind the eye, plus unique green side stripes split by a pale vertebral band. Scale and tooth counts added more evidence that it differs from other parrot snakes in the region.

Who led the discovery and how was it studied?

The work was directed by Diego Santana of the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul. His team studied museum material alongside fresh samples. Using taxonomy, they combined measurements, morphology, and DNA analysis. They sequenced the 16S gene, a common marker in snake studies, and compared results with related species. Santana said the animal was first thought to be known, but DNA confirmed it as something new.

The snake was found in the Cerrado, a tropical savanna stretching 720,000 square miles across Brazil. Biogeographers call it the world’s most biodiverse savanna. Yet half of its native cover has already been lost to soy fields and cattle pasture. Brazil’s space research agency reported a 45 percent jump in deforestation there during 2023 compared with 2022.

Why should Leptophis snakes be protected?

Snakes control prey populations and stabilise ecosystems, to the advantage of farming by minimising pests. When predators are reduced, ecological imbalances become increasingly difficult to restore. The local population also carries snake folklore, with some fearing them and others appreciating their crop-protection role. Scientists said engaging residents in monitoring and conservation facilitates the identification of rare species and gains broader support.

In contrast to the Amazon, the Cerrado has less stringent land protection laws. Some forested patches vital for species survival are legally available for clearing. When cleared, these places take decades to regain. Describing new species, scientists argued, is not only scientific work but essential to plan for conservation. It allows tracking of ranges, evaluating population health, and informing where protections are most needed.

What comes next for this new snake?

The species has been recorded in Tocantins and Minas Gerais, but field surveys are still required. Scientists need more data on population size, habitat connectivity, and distribution. This information will inform policy, like guiding soy expansion to cleared areas and coordinating incentives with biodiversity objectives. The finding was released in PeerJ in January 2025.