New Snake Species Discovered in AlUla

Amongst the canyons of AlUla, an international team of researchers has discovered a new species of snake. With its distinctive red hue, which matches seamlessly with the landscape's distinctive palette, the non-venomous and nocturnal Rhynchocalamus hejazicus has evolved perfectly to survive in its harsh desert habitat. The discovery was announced in a paper published in the science journal ‘Zoosystematics and Evolution’.

The team behind the discovery is led by Laszlo Patko, Applied Research Lead at the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU). Patko oversees a project launched by the RCU in November 2022 that aims to inventory the region’s rich biodiversity.

The project is a collaboration between Saudi institutions, including the University of Ha’il, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, and the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve Development Authority, as well as international partners from Portugal’s Universidad do Porto, Egypt’s Suez University, Yemen’s University of Aden, and Malaysia’s Natural History Collective Ventures.

“This discovery is not merely about cataloging a new species; it reflects the ongoing commitment to safeguarding the lush, diverse ecosystems of AlUla,” Stephen Browne, Vice President of Wildlife and Natural Heritage at the RCU, says. “It’s a symbol of our dedication to preserving this unique oasis.”

The discovery of a previously unknown species reflects the region’s importance in the global study of desert biodiversity. The team will continue cataloging AlUla’s habitat and studying the new snake, whose ecology and behavior are still largely unknown.