After they discovered a new species of green pit vipers, researchers from India have decided to name the snake after the Harry Potter character Salazar Slytherin.
In JK Rowling’s book series and the subsequent film adaptations, Slytherin was one of the founders of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Other founders included Godric Gryffindor, Rowena Ravenclaw and Helga Hufflepuff.
As well as being the namesakes of the four Hogwarts houses, these four witches and wizards are remembered as being some of the most powerful in the Harry Potter world.
The researchers chose the name “Trimeresurus salazar” as Slytherin was partly known for his ability to talk to snakes.
In their research published in this month’s journal of Zoosystematics and Evolution, the team suggests the snake commonly be known as Salazar's pit viper.
The Trumeresurus are heavily venomous and can be found throughout East and Southeast Asia.
This species was found in India, but there are at least 48 total species of this genus found in the region.
One of the things that makes this particular pit viper stand out, though, is the orange-reddish stripe found on the side of the head in males.
