The Guangdong Yunkaishan National Nature Reserve, nestled in the heart of the Yunkai Mountains and spanning Maoming and Yangjiang, is home to one of the largest concentrations of relatively pristine subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forests in western Guangdong. Recently, the reserve recorded the Chinese slug snake (Pareas chinensis) for the first time.
The small snake was found in damp woodland and among rock crevices in the reserve's core zone. Following taxonomic identification, researchers confirmed that this was the first record of the species in the reserve, filling a gap in distribution data for the Yunkai Mountains and contributing to surveys of snake diversity in western Guangdong.
Measuring around 50 centimeters long, the snake has a broad, flattened head with a rounded snout that resembles a frog's, large eyes with vertically elliptical pupils, and a slender neck. Its tawny-brown body is patterned with dark crossbands or net-like markings formed by tiny black spots, with dark stripes extending from behind the eyes to the back of the neck.
The species feeds mainly on soft-bodied mollusks, using its specialized teeth to extract them from their shells. It is mildly venomous, and its venom primarily targets its prey. However, the species is a protected wild animal and should never be handled.
In recent years, the reserve has worked with university research teams on biodiversity surveys, documenting several newly recorded species. The growing number of new and newly recorded species highlights the reserve's rich biodiversity and well-preserved forest habitats.
Author | He Fengyu
Photos | Nanfang Plus
