The Guns N’ Roses guitarist is a lifelong reptile lover, and formed his own rock supergroup Slash’s Snakepit in 1994.
(photo by Chris Austin) / Slash, (photo by Raymond Ahner)
Scientists with the Field Museum discovered a new species of ground snake scientifically referred to as Lielaphis slashi, and officially named it after the Guns N’ Roses guitarist. The serpent was dubbed Slash’s groundsnake, the museum said in a news release.
The groundsnake was discovered in New Guinea, an island located just north of Australia. Slash’s groundsnake is nonvenomous, and does not pose a threat to humans. Photos of the snake show a simple scale pattern, dark brown in color with a tan underbelly.
“As a long-time herpephile, I am extremely honored and humbled to have Lielaphis slashi from New Guinea named after me,” Slash, 61, said in a statement. “It is really exciting, I never would have imagined this moment would arrive.”
The Field Museum credits the musician as a “lifelong reptile lover and an avid supporter of zoos and museums.” Slash’s love of reptiles has occasionally also inspired his musical choices—he formed rock supergroup Slash’s Snakepit in 1994, which included members of Guns N’ Roses, Alice in Chains and Jellyfish.
