OK well it's not that new, it's probably been around for millions of years, and it's not even the first time it has been found - but it is the second! The first time was back in 2012 at Gibara on the north-east coast of Cuba and the finders have waited to find more until formally writing it up as a new species. Last month an expedition to the same area has found a second specimen and here it is. It is said to be a new species of the genus Arrhyton or Racerlets of which there are eight other species in Cuba and all are endemic. Two are widespread and the others are very restricted in range. We'll have to wait for more detail when the paper is published but I love the thin wiggly worm-like tail which, like other snakes I suspect is used to attract prey like frogs into range so that they can be caught. Many thanks to Sandy for letting me use his picture.
Arrhyton sp 23 Nov 2020 Gibara © Sandy Villar Bermúdez
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