A new species of snake discovered in 2022 at Otishi National Park in Peru has been coyly named in honor of Harrison Ford, who played perhaps the most famous ophidiophobic character in movie history, Indiana Jones.
It was Indy’s lament in 1981’s Raiders of the Lost Ark that demonstrates the herpetologists’ sense of humor: “Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?”
Introducing Tachymenoides harrisonfordi: a copper and brown snake, measuring around 16 inches long, that feeds mainly on frogs and lizards.
While the origin of Henry Jones Jr.’s fear of snakes happened in his youth, as seen in 1989’s Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, the introduction to the world of the slitherer named in Ford’s honor came in the form of an academic paper submitted to Salamandra, The German Journal of Herpetology.
A single male snake was spotted at the park, which is located in a volatile area of the country controlled by drug cartels, the scientists explained in the paper.
After DNA and other testing, it was determined to be a never-before-seen species, and as is tradition, that gave naming rights to the scientists who discovered it.
Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
Related Posts
Music notes: Taylor Swift, Bazzi and more
April 26, 2024
Taylor Swift's The Tortured Poets Department has scored the biggest opening of an album in the U.K.…
‘The Lord of the Rings’ trilogy coming back to theaters
April 26, 2024
'The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring' - New Line/WireImagePeter Jackson's…
Kevin Spacey claps back after ‘Spacey Unmasked’ documentary trailer debuts
April 26, 2024
Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty ImagesThe trailer to Spacey Unmasked, a documentary about Kevin Spacey from…
Doja Cat’s message to parents: Keep your kids away from my concerts
April 26, 2024
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for CoachellaPlenty of artists who have young fans don't seem to have…
New Music Friday: The Chainsmokers, Jason Derulo and more
April 26, 2024
It's New Music Friday, and The Chainsmokers are taking it literally. They've just released a new…
Ryan Gosling sings again in new ‘Fall Guy’ stuntman tribute
April 26, 2024
Disney/Scott KirklandRyan Gosling apparently hasn't let his pipes cool down since his "I'm Just…
Jelly Roll says he left social media for more reasons than “bullying”
April 26, 2024
Disney/Eric McCandlessIn the April 24 episode of her podcast Dumb Blonde, Jelly Roll's wife, Bunnie…
Lori Loughlin gives first interview following college admissions scandal
April 26, 2024
Loughlin on 'Curb' -- HBO/John JohnsonWhile she didn't mention the college admission scandal that…