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New Snake Species Named After Guns N' Roses Guitarist Slash
A newly discovered snake species from New Guinea has been officially named Lielaphis slashi in honor of Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash, according to research published in Zootaxa. The reddish-brown groundsnake, measuring approximately 28 inches in length, was identified through genetic testing and physical characteristics that distinguish it from other similar species. The naming decision was made by Sara Ruane, an associate curator of herpetology at the Field Museum and senior author of the study, who has been a longtime fan of Guns N' Roses since childhood. Ruane shared that she first became interested in herpetology after seeing Slash on the cover of Reptiles Magazine holding a pet reticulated python. The snake, which is nonvenomous and uses large rear teeth to catch slippery lizards and reptile eggs, does not pose a threat to humans. Researchers emphasize the importance of formally identifying species like L. slashi to better understand New Guinea's biodiversity and to aid conservation efforts, as the habitats of these snakes face threats from coffee farming and mining activities. The study was conducted by a team of researchers including Tianqi Huang, Chris Austin, Justin Bernstein, Bulisa Iova, Jackson Roberts, Jeffrey Frederick, and Sara Ruane, and was published in the journal Zootaxa in 2026. This naming honors Slash's lifelong passion for reptiles and his support for zoos, museums, and natural history institutions. The discovery highlights the rich biodiversity of New Guinea's tropical forests, which remain poorly documented by scientists despite their ecological significance.
