New Species Discovered in the Modern-day Garden of Eden – the Galapagos
In a time when new discoveries in the animal kingdom seem rare, the Galapagos Islands off the coast of Ecuador, have revealed new stars amid their natural wonders.
Not one, but three new species of snake have been discovered. While not the cuddliest addition to a Galapagos animal roster that includes penguins, blue footed boobies, frigate birds, and albatross, the abilities of these three species to remain undiscovered in one of the most studied natural biospheres in the world reminds us that nature, and the Galapagos in particular, can never be taken for granted.
A team of scientists from Ecuador, Brazil, and Argentina studying the archipelago’s concentration of snakes made the discovery. Scientists compared the slithering beasts’ genome, identifying the new species on Rabida, Tortuga, Isabela, Fernandina, and Santiago islands. Officially named Pseudalsophis thomasi, Pseudalsophis hephestus y Pseudalsophis darwini, this discovery has reinforced the conclusion that Galapagos snakes originated in continental South America, expanding to the islands 4.4 million years ago.
While the snakes, as in other parts of the world, are more likely to slither away from the intruding vibrations of visitors than pose for pictures, their discovery proves that the Galapagos Islands to this day still have secrets to reveal.
Venture through the biodiverse world of the Galapagos Islands and save with Goway Travel. See soaring frigate birds, lumbering tortoises, and frolicking sea lions and just maybe come across a new sight or sound the Galapagos has kept hidden for millennia.
