Slender new wolf snake discovered on Nicobar Island named after Steve Irwin

(Image: Naveen et al., Evolutionary Systematics 2025 (CC BY 4.0))

A quiet forest road on Great Nicobar Island has offered a rare surprise, as scientists confirmed a new wolf snake species with a striking dark shine.

How Was This New Snake Identified?
Researchers rechecked a lone specimen reported in 2010 and compared it with two newer records from Great Nicobar Island. Each sample showed unique traits unseen in known wolf snakes. The team then confirmed it as a new species and named it Lycodon irwini in honour of Steve Irwin, whose work inspired many conservationists.

What Makes This Species So Distinctive?
The species reaches about 1.2 metres long and carries a slender form with a tapering tail. Its upper body shows a bluish-black tone, while the underside remains black to brownish-black. Scientists note that there are only four confirmed records, and thus this makes the species particularly rare. The holotype came from a moist evergreen forest, which might indicate the habitat key to its survival.

Is the snake found anywhere else?
It is thought by researchers to be confined to Great Nicobar Island, which is the largest island in the chain near Sumatra. Because of its limited range, the team recommends an Endangered status under the IUCN. They also warn that ongoing development may harm its habitat and threaten its future.

The study, published in Evolutionary Systematics, says the Nicobar Islands remain poorly studied. It says there could be more species that are yet to be discovered and calls for deeper research to protect the diverse wildlife of the region.