New Species Of Reed Snake Discovered In Mizoram: Calamaria Mizoramensis

AIZAWL – In a significant boost to India’s biodiversity records, a global team of scientists has identified a new species of reed snake in Mizoram. Named Calamaria mizoramensis, the discovery corrects a decades-old taxonomic error and officially adds a new member to the country’s reptile fauna.

The research, led by HT Lalremsanga, a professor at Mizoram University, was a collaborative effort involving experts from Russia, Germany, and Vietnam. The breakthrough findings were published on Monday, January 5, 2026, in the prestigious taxonomic journal Zootaxa.

A Case of Mistaken Identity

While the first specimens were collected as far back as 2008, the snake was long misidentified as a more common Southeast Asian relative. It took over a decade of fieldwork and advanced laboratory testing to prove its uniqueness.

• Genetic Divergence: DNA analysis revealed a 15% genetic difference from its closest known relatives. In herpetology, this level of divergence is a “smoking gun” for a distinct species.
• Unique Lineage: The study confirms that this population represents an evolutionary lineage found nowhere else but Mizoram (though scientists suspect it may inhabit parts of Manipur and Bangladesh).

Characteristics of the “Mizoram Reed Snake”

Unlike many of the high-profile cobras found in the Northeast, this new resident is elusive and harmless.

The Rich Biodiversity of Mizoram

The discovery of Calamaria mizoramensis has also allowed researchers to update the state’s comprehensive herpetofaunal checklist. Mizoram is rapidly becoming a hotspot for new reptilian discoveries in the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot.

Current Biodiversity Count (Mizoram):

• Amphibians: 52 Species
• Reptiles: 117 Species
• Total: 169 Species

“This discovery highlights the need for continued biological surveys in Northeast India… many species in these forested hill regions still remain poorly documented.” — HT Lalremsanga