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Field Museum Names Snake After Rock Legend Slash
21 Aug
Summary
- A new ground snake species discovered in New Guinea was named after Slash.
- The snake, Lielaphis slashi, is nonvenomous and dark brown in color.
- Scientist Sara Ruane was inspired by Slash's lifelong passion for reptiles.
Scientists at the Field Museum have discovered and named a new species of ground snake from New Guinea, Lielaphis slashi, commonly referred to as Slash's groundsnake. This honor was bestowed upon the Guns N' Roses guitarist due to his lifelong passion for reptiles and natural history.
The nonvenomous serpent is described as dark brown with a tan underbelly. The discovery was made by a team including Sara Ruane, an Associate Curator of Herpetology at the Field Museum. Ruane expressed her deep honor, explaining that Slash's childhood fascination with snakes and his public support for museums deeply resonated with her own path to becoming a herpetologist.
This initiative highlights Slash's consistent engagement with the natural world, including his previous formation of the band Slash's Snakepit, inspired by his affinity for reptiles. The scientific paper detailing the new species involved contributions from researchers across multiple institutions, underscoring a collaborative effort in the field of herpetology.
