Subscribe Now

travelers today

Home » News

'Lost' Snake Species Found In Mexico After 80 Years

Travelers Today       By    Althea Serad

Updated: May 22, 2014 10:02 PM EDT

Text Size: A A A

'Lost' snake species found in Mexico has been lost for almost eight decades. Now, the 'lost' snake species is lost no more and it has been re-discovered on a remote Mexican island, according to the Associated Press.

China Daily USA reports that according to a study published in the PLOS ONE scientific journal, the 'lost' snake species is called the Clarion nightsnake. It was found once again on one of the Revillagigedo Islands, more than 650 kilometers off Mexico's Pacific coast.

The original discovery of the 'lost' snake species was reportedly made by American naturalist William Beebe in a 1936 visit to Clarion in one of the four Revillagigedo Islands. Beebe returned from his expedition with one snake preserved in a glass jar.

Further visits to the island has produced no more of the snake species, hence the Clarion nightsnake has been called a 'lost' snake species. No subsequent sightings have also been reported over the years from the island. According to CTV News, the island has been inhabited only by a small detachment of Mexican marines. The existing dead sample of the 'lost' snake species has been assumed a labeling error and the snake was largely struck from taxonomic registries.

However, that did not stop Researcher Daniel Mulcahy for the National Museum of Natural History in Washington to suspect that the 'lost' snake species might not be lost after all. Together with Martinez Gomez of Mexico's Ecology, Mulcahy set out to find the Clarion nightsnake.

Martinez Gomez is reportedly an expert on the Revillagigedo Islands. He noted that the islands where the 'lost' snake species was initially found changes a lot from season to season. Because of this, the two experts timed their search last May in order to replicate Beebe's steps as they looked for the snake. During this time, the 'lost' snake species reportedly blends in with the island's rock formations and is largely active at night. The two experts used Beebe's original field notes as guide.

Gomez said, "Basically, following those directions, we essentially put ourselves in his place." Juan Alberto Cervantes is one of Gomez's graduate students. Cervantes was reportedly the first to spot one of the 'lost' snake species for the first time since its discovery in 1936.

After spotting the Clarion nightsnake, the researchers still had to perform DNA analysis in order to establish that the long, dark spotted snake is indeed the 'lost' snake species. They had to see where it came from. The tests reportedly showed that the snake is the most closely related to snakes from Mexico's Sonora-Sinaloa coast more than 500 miles (800 kilometers) away.

'Lost' snake species ancestors may have made the trip from the mainland on a tree trunk felled by a storm and washed out to sea, said Gomez.

See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018

Tags
'lost' snake species , 'lost' snake species found , 'lost' snake species found in mexico , mexico , world news , clarion nightsnake , animal news , travel news , mexico news , 'lost' snake species in mexico
© 2023 Traverlers Today, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Join Our Conversation

Subscribe to our newsletter

Receive the latest travel news, reviews, and more..

Most Popular

6 Tips For Traveling With Young Children

6 Tips For Traveling With Young Children

Planning for a trip takes some time, even if it's just you g

How Traveling Can Make You Happy

How Traveling Can Make You Happy

If you have never traveled before but are thinking of doing so then

Scottish Islands: The Best Places to Reside!

Scottish Islands: The Best Places to Reside!

So there are a few islands that can be found off the Sco

How to Plan a Multi-Destination Honeymoon During COVID

How to Plan a Multi-Destination Honeymoon During COVID

You need to know how to plan appropriately and

7 Tips for Amazing Campus Visits

7 Tips for Amazing Campus Visits

A campus visit's significance could not be overstated. After all, fo

4 Tips For Curating The Perfect Gallery Wall

4 Tips For Curating The Perfect Gallery Wall

Having a gallery wall brings plenty of benefits to your

Water Travel Options That Don’t Involve a Cruise

Water Travel Options That Don’t Involve a Cruise

There is something equally relaxing and invigorati

Photo by Erik Odiin on Unsplash

Things That Will Help Cost-Conscious Vacationers Save Money

There are several ways you can significan

Photo by Mikhail Nilov from Pexels

How to Make Vet Visits Affordable in 2022

If the situation is minor, you might be lucky and get away

Photo by Tim Samuel from Pexels

Know Your Florida Driving Rules

There is so much to do in the region, but we want to focus on some of

Photo by Ging Ang from Pexels

Holidaying in your own Country: Try these Fun Trips!

Many countries are opening their borders, but if

Photo by Jessica Lewis Creative from Pexels

The Best Tech Tools for Expats

Here’s a quick look at most versatile tech tools for expats on the m

Photo by Tobi from Pexels

How to Turn a Road Trip Into A Luxury Adventure

But a road trip doesn’t have to mean living on the

Australian Citizenship Test: Everything You Need to Know

Australian Citizenship Test: Everything You Need to Know

Do you want to become a citizen of Australia

Hair transplant Istanbul: Why is it so popular?

Hair Transplant Istanbul: Why is it so Popular?

Getting a hair transplant in Istanbul is affordable i

What’s Going on with Rental Cars Right Now?

What’s Going on with Rental Cars Right Now?

They are incredibly expensive, and they’re also in sh

Role of Professional companies in International Trade

Role of Professional companies in International Trade

International trade holds great importance in a

The 5 Best Wines from Germany

The 5 Best Wines from Germany

Riesling is Germany’s best-known wine, but the country makes other fi

Here's Why You Should Go Camping On Weekends

Here's Why You Should Go Camping On Weekends

There is nothing like the great outdoors –– natureâ€

The Best Tote Bags To Travel With in 2022

The Best Tote Bags To Travel With in 2022

Who knew you could pack your entire life away into one litt

7 Captivating Attractions for Kids in San Diego

7 Captivating Attractions for Kids in San Diego

San Diego is a magnificent place, and it would not be

travelers today

© 2023 TRAVELERS TODAY All rights reserved.

Subscribe to our newsletter
Real Time Analytics