VietNamNet Bridge - Scientists have announced the discovery of a new species of blind snake during a field survey in southern China, northeastern Vietnam and Laos.

The scientific name of this species is Oligodon Nagao David, Nguyen, Nguyen, Jiang, Chen, Teynie & Zigler. It is named after the Nagao Natural Environment Foundation, Japan because this foundation has given support for research and biodiversity conservation in developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

As being described by Dr. Nguyen Quang Truong, a team member, this species of snake has long head and body length from 561 to 680 mm; tail length 92-107 mm. They have 15 or 17 rows of scales close in the middle of the back; cream color belly with small black spots.

According to VnCreatures, the Na-gao blind snake species lives in limestone mountains at an altitude of 170-470 m above sea level. In Vietnam, they are distributed mainly in Lang Son and Cao Bang provinces. This is the 20th blind snake species are recognized in Vietnam.

The research was published on the Zootaxa journal last month, based on the specimens collected in China, Vietnam and Laos.

Nam Nguyen