It seems that Leonardo DiCaprio has inspired a name for a new snake species. In 2020, a group of researchers from India, Germany, and the United Kingdom discovered Anguiculus DiCaprio.
According to a Hindustan Times report from October 22, 2024, the new snake species was named after Leonardo DiCaprio due to his contribution to raising awareness about climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution-related health issues.
Trending
The team of researchers discovered the snake species while they were exploring lesser-known reptiles in India. Their findings were published in Scientific Reports, a peer-reviewed journal, where they classified the new species under a new genus, Anguiculus, meaning "small snake" in Latin.
Leonardo DiCaprio has also funded field conservation and research, leading the researchers to suggest the common name “DiCaprio's Himalayan snake.” The discovery happened during a research trip to the mountainous regions of Himachal Pradesh, where the team found brown-colored snakes on a mud road. These snakes remained still while basking in the sun, showing no signs of aggression when captured.
DNA analysis and comparison with other species confirmed that it was a previously unknown species. The new species has been found in locations such as Chamba and Kullu in Himachal Pradesh, Nainital in Uttarakhand, and Chitwan National Park in Nepal, as explained by HT Lalremsanga, a zoology professor at Mizoram University.
According to the study, this small snake species grows up to 22 inches. It has a broad collar featuring dark brown spots, a robust skull, and a steeply domed snout. This species inhabits areas at elevations of around 6,000 feet above sea level and has numerous teeth.
A new snake in South America was named after Leonardo DiCaprio's mother in 2023
In 2023, researchers discovered five new species of snakes after scientists surveyed snakes in Columbia, Ecuador, and Panama. One newly discovered species, Sibon irmelindicaprioae, commonly known as DiCaprio's snail-eating snake, was named after Leonardo DiCaprio's mother, Irmelin DiCaprio.
Leonardo DiCaprio and other conservationists selected names for some of the newly identified snakes in tribute to their loved ones. While speaking about the environment in 2014 with CBS Mornings, Leonardo DiCaprio said,
“Well. I have always been fascinated by, you know, this world that we live in and how destructive we are to it and as soon as I really became an actor, that’s been you know a parallel passion of mine is trying to bring attention to some incredibly important issues."
He continued:
"I think that really so little goes to protecting our planet when you think of all of philanthropy, only 2% of philanthropy and giving goes towards the biggest life-sustaining force that we have and that’s our planet.”
This 2-foot-long snake, identified by its bright orange eyes and bands of reddish-orange, white, and brown, is known for its docile nature and does not attempt to bite. Instead, it defends itself by coiling its body around its head and releasing a musky, unpleasant odor. The species was discovered in the jungles of Panama and Colombia.
Reply
