17/11/2025
A team of scientists has identified a completely new species of snake on Great Nicobar Island, one of the most remote and biodiverse regions of the Nicobar archipelago. The glossy-black wolf snake, now officially named Lycodon irwini, had remained unnoticed in plain sight for years because of its striking similarity to another widespread wolf snake species. Fresh scientific investigation has now confirmed that the Great Nicobar population represents an entirely distinct species found only on the island.
The discovery was made by researchers from Pondicherry University, the Max Planck Institute for Biology (Tübingen), and an independent coauthor from Pune. To establish the species’ identity, the team relied on a combination of genetic analysis, scale pattern comparison, and advanced morphological studies—a method known as an integrative taxonomic approach. Their findings clearly separated the Great Nicobar specimen from all known relatives.
According to the researchers, Lycodon irwini is characterized by its jet-black glossy body, distinct scale arrangement, and unique genetic signature. These features helped differentiate it from the closely resembling Lycodon aulicus, a species commonly found across mainland India and Southeast Asia.
Great Nicobar Island, the southernmost point of India, is known for its high rate of endemism, meaning many of its plants and animals occur nowhere else on Earth. The discovery of this new snake species adds to the island’s growing list of unique wildlife and highlights its importance as a conservation hotspot.
Scientists emphasize that the island’s fragile ecosystems are under increasing pressure from natural disasters, climate change, and human activities. They hope this discovery will encourage greater research, funding, and protective measures to safeguard the region’s unique biodiversity.
The naming of Lycodon irwini pays tribute to Dr. Patrick Irwin, a renowned herpetologist whose contributions to the study of Indian snakes