Snakes might not be everyone's favorite creature, but the rediscovery of one species in India has biologists wriggling with excitement.
As the Times of India reported, Vipin Kapoor Sainy and Apoove Gupta were conducting field work in the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve when they spotted a rare painted keelback, which was last seen in 1907.
Sainy initially thought it was a common keelback, but the snake's notable red markings hinted it could be something a little different. After additional analysis and following the consultation of scientific literature, the biologists were able to confirm their incredible find.
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Rohit Ravi, a biologist who works for the World Wildlife Fund, told the Times that the discovery of the snake suggested continued research and habitat preservation is needed in the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve. Additionally, reserve field director Lalit Verma is hopeful that the painted keelback's presence might be a sign that there are more undocumented creatures in the area.
Finding a painted keelback is further evidence that nature can be extremely resilient when given the tools to thrive. Rediscovered species elsewhere on the planet, including the Pristimantis ruidus frog in Ecuador and the leaf-cutter bee in California, demonstrate the importance of wildlife conservation for the sake of rare and important creatures.
While little is known about the painted keelback, other keelbacks — which are nonvenomous — help keep the populations of frogs and fish in check, making them important to the ecosystem, as they maintain natural balance, as Greenverz detailed.
A healthy ecosystem benefits us all, and that's especially true regarding pollinators. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 75% of the world's flowering plants rely on birds, bats, bees, and other pollinators, while around one in every three bites of food is also thanks to these animals' impact on crop production.
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