Mysterious, Nocturnal Snake Resurfaces on Volcanic Island of Mexico

A mysterious snake species was spotted roaming around the volcanic rocks of an island near Mexico.

This nocturnal creature, known as the Clarion nightsnake, was first seen more than 80 years ago on Clarion Island. Since then, it seemed to have disappeared.

"The rediscovery of the Clarion nightsnake is an incredible story of how scientists rely on historical data and museum collections to solve modern-day mysteries about biodiversity in the world we live in," said lead study author Daniel Mulcahy, a researcher at the National Museum of Natural History, in Washington, D.C., in a statement, via Live Science. "Proper identification is the first step toward conserving this snake, and we plan to continue monitoring this species to learn more about the role it plays in the delicate Clarion Island ecosystem."

This reptilian rarity is speckled with brownish-black spots that aid as a camouflage when lurking through the island's black lava rock, making it difficult to be seen by prey. Naturalist William Beebe first discovered the snake in 1936, naming it Hypsiglena ochrorhyncha unaocularus, on Clarion Island, which is one of the four Revillagigedo Islands in the Pacific Ocean.

This creature can grow to be around 18 inches long. However, due to its camouflaging techniques, the nightsnake managed to stay hidden for a relatively long amount of time. In fact, minus one snake specimen that was kept in the collections of the American Museum of Natural History in New York, no other researchers have caught a glimpse of this creature since.

Eleven collected specimens of nightsnake confirmed the distinct DNA of the species, differentiating the creature from similar snakes found in the area.

As the population remains stable at this time, bands of feral cats on nearby islands could pose a problem for the future. 

More information regarding the findings can be seen via the journal PLOS ONE.