10 of the Coolest New Animal and Fungi Species Discovered in 2023
A Glimpse Into the World of Biology and the Incredible Pace of Global Species Discovery
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2023 has been a remarkably productive year for science. With COVID restrictions nearly entirely lifted, scientists have finally been able to return to business as mostly usual with field research and exploration. The results are already showing, and all across the world, folks have been finding new animals and fungi hiding in remarkable locations.
Read on to discover 10 of the most incredible new species we’ve discovered around the world in 2023 so far.
1. Tachymenoides harrisonfordi — Harrison Ford’s Slender Snake
This snake species, named after Harrison Ford as a nod to his snake-fearing portrayal of Indiana Jones, is commonly called Harrison Ford’s Slender Snake. It was discovered in Peru in August 2023, as part of a collaboration effort between researchers from the Peruvian Institute of Herpetology, the National University of San Marcos, the Center for Ornithology and Biodiversity, Illinois Wesleyan University, and Florida International University.
The species is entirely harmless to humans and, thankfully, prefers a diet of small reptiles and amphibians over a diet of explorers and archaeologists. It’s also rather small, maxing out at about 16 inches when it’s fully grown.
2. Scinax pyroinguinis — Common Name Not Yet Coined
Another species endemic to Peru, the tree frog, Scinax pyroinguinis, was found hiding out in the Amazon Rainforest in May of 2023. Named for the orange and black stripes on its inner legs, the genus and species name literally translates…
