Scientists Discover New Reed Snake Species in Mizoram, Highlighting India’s Rich Biodiversity

Aizawl, Mizoram: Scientists have confirmed the discovery of a new species of non‑venomous reed snake in the forests of Mizoram, highlighting how much of India’s biodiversity remains unexplored. The species, officially named Calamaria mizoramensis, was identified after researchers determined that specimens collected in the state over a decade ago were wrongly classified as another species.

The research, led by Professor H.T. Lalremsanga of Mizoram University’s Zoology Department in collaboration with scientists from Russia, Germany and Vietnam, was published in the international scientific journal Zootaxa. Detailed morphological examinations and DNA analysis showed that the snake differs genetically by more than 15 per cent from its closest relatives — a significant divergence used to define a new species.

Calamaria mizoramensis is small, secretive and harmless to humans. The nocturnal snake is described as semi‑fossorial, meaning it spends much of its life underground or hidden in leaf litter, and has been recorded at elevations between roughly 670 and 1,295 metres in humid, forested hills around Aizawl and surrounding districts.

Though currently confirmed only in Mizoram, researchers say the species might also be present in neighbouring states such as Manipur, Nagaland and Assam, and potentially even in parts of Bangladesh, pending further study.

The discovery adds to an updated list of 169 amphibian and reptile species documented in Mizoram, reinforcing the region’s status as an important biodiversity hotspot. Scientists say the finding underlines the need for continued biological surveys and stronger conservation efforts in India’s northeastern forests, where many species remain poorly documented.