Swansea University researchers discover new species of venomous snake

Researchers at Swansea University’s College of Science are part of an international team that has discovered a new species of venomous snake in Australia.

TheVermicella parscauda (Weipa bandy-bandy) is a small (50-100cm) black and white banded snake found only in Australia. It belongs to a group of venomous snakes known as burrowing elapids. But despite being part of a highly venomous family including cobras and the infamous Australian taipans, bandy-bandys pose no risk to humans and their venom could actually contain medicinal properties.