Rarest snakes in the world

 Rarest Snakes In The World

Snakes are often shrouded in mystery and fear due to unfair fear mongering, yet they are among the most fascinating creatures on the planet. Snakes are one of those animals which many people fear while being unaware of just how prevalent in our lives they are. Aside from the arctic regions, snakes can be found in almost every environment and are usually nearby, even when we don’t see them. While some species are well-known and widespread, others are so rare that they are seldom seen, even by experts. There are some snakes that we will never see, even at a zoo or reptile exhibit. These rare snakes live in some of the most isolated places on earth, with only a few remaining members of their species. Almost all of the rarest snakes in the world have something in common. Either they are threatened by habitat destruction by way of humans, are incredibly isolated with a dwindling population, or are being attacked by non-native predators which humans likely introduced. Despite being the primary cause for the downfall of these snakes, humans also have the ability to save them. In many cases, these rare snake populations have made tremendous recoveries in the wake of human intervention and conservation. Today, we will be looking at some of the rarest snakes in the world, highlighting their unique characteristics and conservation efforts. These all are threatened species and are often the subject of conservation efforts, as their existence can be threatened by habitat loss, climate change and human activities.

St. Lucia Racer (Erythrolamprus ornatus)

The St. Lucia Racer is considered the rarest snake in the world, with fewer than 20 individuals believed to exist. The St. Lucian racer suffered a similar fate to the Antiguan racer, but it hasn’t recovered to its Caribbean cousin’s extent. Currently, the St. Lucian racer is considered the rarest snake globally. Native to the Caribbean island of St. Lucia, this non-venomous snake was once thought to be extinct. It is a small and harmless type of snake species that often falls prey to larger animals like mongooses and other invasive species. The snake became threatened when black rats and the Asian mongoose were introduced to the island, killing large numbers of the snake and eating its eggs. It inhabits the dry forests of the island, where it preys on small lizards. Conservation efforts are on going to protect this critically endangered species, with the hope of increasing its population. The St. Lucian racer was believed to have become extinct in 1936 but was later rediscovered in 1973 on the island of Maria Major. Today, they are the focus of conservation efforts across the island as people hope to save this native snake.

Albany Adder (Bitis albanica)

The Albany adder was first documented in 1937 and has only been documented 12 times since then. These snakes lived in the eastern and southern Cape Providence of South Africa and were considered extinct for many years. The Albany Adder is a small, venomous viper found only in a limited area in South Africa’s Eastern Cape. This snake is so rare that it was not seen for several decades and was feared extinct. With its unique coloration and cryptic behaviour, the Albany Adder is a true gem of the reptile world. Unfortunately, habitat destruction and illegal collection have made it critically endangered. It was only in 2016 that the remains of a dead Albany adder were discovered in a road kill site, confirming the species is still existing. However, they are extremely rare and unlikely to be seen again anytime soon.

Shaw’s Sea Snake (Hydrophis curtus)

Shaw’s Sea Snake, also known as the Short Sea Snake, is an extremely rare marine snake which is seldom encountered by humans. This species is found in the shallow coastal waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, where it feeds on fish and eels. Due to its limited range and specific habitat requirements, Shaw’s Sea Snake is vulnerable to environmental changes and pollution, making it one of the rarest sea snakes in the world.

Aruban Rattlesnake (Crotalus unicolor)

As the name would have you believe, the Aruban rattlesnake is found on the Caribbean island of Aruba. Aruba is a semi-arid environment with patches of rocky desert found from the coast to the island’s interior. With the live able habitat of the snake being so small (only 9.5 square miles) and human encroachment looming, it’s no surprise there are likely fewer than 230 Aruban rattlesnakes in the wild, with 100 in captivity. Endemic to the island of Aruba, the Aruba Island Rattlesnake is one of the rarest rattlesnakes in the world. This snake is classified as critically endangered. The Aruba Island Rattlesnake has a unique pinkish hue, which helps it blend into the arid, rocky landscapes of its island home. Conservation efforts focus on habitat protection and public education to prevent further decline. They are primarily threatened by the spreading population of human establishment and the introduction of goats which destroy the vegetation necessary for the prey of the snakes.

Orlov’s Viper (Vipera orlovi)

Orlov’s Viper is a venomous snake native to the Caucasus Mountains of Russia. While we don’t normally think of Russia as a place where snakes live, Orlov’s viper proves us wrong. This venomous viper lives in the Black Sea region of Russia, with a historical range that extends into the Caucasus. With how small their range is and the habit humans have of poaching them, there are estimated to be less than 250 adults in the wild. For reference, the entire territory of Orlov’s viper is only 38 square miles. Discovered relatively recently in 2001, this snake is distinguished by its striking pattern and coloration. Orlov’s Viper is found only in a very restricted area, making it highly vulnerable to habitat loss. Conservationists are working to protect it. This snake is distinguished by its striking pattern and coloration. Orlov’s Viper is highly vulnerable to habitat loss. Conservationists are working to protect its habitat and ensure the survival of this rare and beautiful viper. 

Antiguan Racer (Alsophis antiguae)

The Antiguan racer was once thought of as the rarest snake species on Earth. Thankfully, it isn’t classified as such today, but it is still critically threatened. The snake became threatened after the introduction of the Asian mongoose, black rats and brown rats. These predators, plus human cohabitation, led them to the brink of extinction. At one point, they were believed to have been extinct, but a population was discovered on Great Bird Island off the coast of Antigua. At one point, the population dipped below 150, but today, with massive conservation efforts, they have rebounded slightly and have a somewhat stable population. This non-venomous snake was nearly driven to extinction by introduced predators. Thanks to intensive conservation efforts, including habitat restoration and predator control. They are still considered critically endangered. 

Trang Blind Snake and Roxane’s Blind Snake

There are many species of blind snakes, all of them small and easy to miss. Most blind snakes burrow under the soil and rarely come up. Their underground habits, combined with how small they are, make them some of the hardest snakes to keep tabs on. Roxane’s Racer is a little-known and elusive species of snake found in the Middle East. With only a handful of confirmed sightings, this snake remains a mystery to herpetologists. Its rarity is likely due to its extremely limited range and specific habitat preferences. Conservationists are still studying Roxane’s Racer to understand more about its ecology and distribution. The Trang blind snake and Roxane’s blind snake are two species which are incredibly rare to this day. In fact, both species are so rare that they were never seen again after they were discovered. They are likely still around, but with how hard they are to find, it is difficult to know how many there are or where they exist, other than Thailand.

San Francisco Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis tetrataenia)

The San Francisco Garter Snake is often described as the most beautiful snake in North America due to its vibrant blue, red and black stripes. Endemic to the San Francisco Peninsula, this snake has become critically endangered due to habitat destruction and urban development. Despite its striking appearance, the San Francisco Garter Snake is elusive and rarely seen, adding to its rarity and allure.

Striped Blind Snake

Striped blind snakes are so rare that there isn’t much information available about them. They are small burrowing snakes that live underground, making them very hard to find. They can also be found under logs and in forest vegetation as high as 1400m above sea level. Striped blind snakes are very small, measuring only 48cm in the largest-ever specimen. They are characterized by eyes which are covered by skin to the point of near invisibility, and a series of 10 pairs of alternating dark and light stripes. Native to South America, these snakes are known for their distinct stripped patterns. Since these snakes live in a limited area and have very specific habitat requirements, they are very vulnerable. The striped blind snake was believed to have been extinct for 172 years, but a dead individual was found in 2019 in Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, located in Singapore. This type of snake has been documented in Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia and southern Thailand. They are not dangerous to humans.

Langaha Madagascariensis (Madagascar Leaf-Nosed Snake)

The Madagascar Leaf-Nosed Snake is a highly specialized and rare species found only in Madagascar’s forests. Its elongated, leaf-shaped snout makes it one of the most unusual-looking snakes in the world. This snake’s cryptic appearance allows it to blend seamlessly with its surroundings, making it difficult to spot in the wild. These snakes are rare due to a variety of factors ranging from habitat degradation, and climate change, to poaching and characteristics. Unfortunately, many of them are on the brink of extinction, and there are some that were already thought to have been extinct only to make a comeback with new sightings. It is extremely important to bring awareness to the plight of these reptiles and the changing environment to potentially prevent any further losses.

Short-Nosed Sea Snake

The Ashmore reef population of short-nosed sea snakes is near extinction. The short-nosed sea snake can be found in the reefs of the Arafura Sea, a region between Australia and Western New Guinea. These snakes are often called the Sahul reed snake and are critically endangered with only two known populations. The coastal population and the Ashmore reef population are occasionally considered distinct subspecies, which, if true, would mean that the Ashmore reef snake is likely facing extinction. The Ashmore reef population was considered extinct until a sighting in 2021 confirmed there were still short-nosed sea snakes there.

Other Endangered Snake Species

This list of abovementioned rarest snakes on Earth might soon become longer if we’re not able to save other snake species that are under threat of extinction. Around the world, hundreds of snake species are endangered due to habitat loss, poaching and climate change. Many live in small, restricted habitats, making them even more vulnerable. Some of these species include:-

Pfeffer’s reed snakes:- These snakes live in wooded areas and grasslands and are currently found in isolated populations in the Ryukyu Islands of Japan.

Peters’ bright snakes:- These long, thin, brown snakes come out at night and exist only on a single island off the coast of Africa.

March’s Palm Pit Viper:- The population of venomous, tree-dwelling snakes living in the forests of Central America is in severe decline.

March’s Palm Pit Viper (Bothriechis marchi) :- The population of March’s palm pit vipers in Central America is in severe decline.

Olive-headed sea snake:- The olive-headed sea snake was discovered by “The Fantastic Grandmothers.” A group of friends aged in their 60s and 70s who call themselves “The Fantastic Grandmothers” came across the greater sea snake species, also known as olive-headed sea snakes while snorkeling in New Caledonia. Pale yellow with dark brown bands, this species is the largest sea snake in that area of the South Pacific and can grow up to 5 feet long. While these snakes are venomous, they are not aggressive and there has been no record of anyone being bitten where the population lives in Baie des Citrons, which is popular with locals and tourists. Greater sea snakes’ tails have markings that are unique, like fingerprints, and the grandmothers have been helping scientists in New Caledonia and Australia by taking photos of each snake they discover. They have been able to collect valuable data, including information on reproduction patterns. Between 2016 and 2018, they logged 277 sightings of at least 140 different greater sea snakes.

How Many Snakes Are There In The World?

It’s not possible to determine the exact number of individual snakes in the world, especially considering their reclusive nature. We can estimate that there are 3,500 species of snakes on Earth. Of these, 600 are venomous species. The country with the most snake species is Brazil. It has more than 375 species, including well-known constrictors such as the boa constrictor and anaconda. And there are countries in the world that have zero snakes which include Ireland, Iceland, Greenland, New Zealand and Antarctica are all free of snakes.

AIRBUS A380

 Operational Cost of AIRBUS A380

It's a unique passenger experience to travel inA380. The iconic A380 has flown over 800,000 flights carrying more than 300 million passengers since its entry into service. As production comes to a close, the A380 will keep flying for decades to come, and Airbus is continuing to fully support A380 operators and their fleets. The A380 has set a new standard for the global aviation industry. Not only did it usher in a new era for passenger comfort, the A380 also raised the bar for environmental standards with its low fuel consumption per passenger and low noise levels, as well as reduced CO2 and NOx emissions. Combining the most advanced aviation technology and an inspired cabin design, Airbus is proud to have created an aircraft celebrated for its outstanding quality in every aspect. Leading the industry in standards for innovation, experience and efficiency, it is appreciated by passengers, pilots and crew alike around the world.

The A380 may be the largest airliner ever built, but a pilot who has flown an aircraft of the A320, A330/A340 or A350 Families will feel right at home in its cockpit. The Brake-to-Vacate system helps ease airport congestion and reduce the amount of time an aircraft remains on the runway. Enabling pilots to select a runway exit while the aircraft is making its landing approach, Brake-to-Vacate uses the auto-flight, flight controls and auto-brake systems to regulate deceleration after touchdown. This allows the aircraft to reach a specified exit at the correct speed under optimum conditions. The system is an additional safety measure that helps to avoid runway excursions. The A380's side stick control, introduced with full fly-by-wire by Airbus on the A320  is the same distance from the throttle as on other Airbus passenger aircraft.

The A380, which typically seats 500 to 550 passengers, provides immediate congestion relief for some of the world’s busiest airports by offering greater passenger capacity. The A380 is reputed for low noise emissions. In many cases, the A380’s larger wing area enables it to land significantly slower, which generates half the noise of earlier-generation large aircraft. Boarding an A380 is a unique experience which introduces passengers to superior standards of in-flight comfort, from first class to economy. As the world’s largest and most spacious passenger aircraft, its cabin allows travellers to stretch out in a calm and relaxing environment. It has two full-length decks with wide body dimensions. With more seats than any other aircraft, the A380 offers a solution for traffic growth and airport congestion as we emerge from the pandemic. With the freedom it gives passengers to move about the aircraft, it’s no surprise that the A380 is a favourite in all cabin classes.

The A380 is highly compatible with existing airport infrastructure, allowing for smooth airline operations and services for passengers. It is designed to reduce time at the gate during critical stages for airlines: boarding and deboarding passengers and resupplying the galleys for the next flight. Its superior cabin architecture allows airlines to quickly board and disembark travellers, even without direct upper deck boarding access, and to optimize catering time, which is performed at the upper and main deck simultaneously for shorter turnarounds. Upper deck boarding provides an additional possibility to offer passengers customised services. Some airlines have created a seamless transition from the ground to the aircraft, with dedicated lounges for premium travellers that enable direct boarding to the A380’s upper deck.

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Newly developed battery hits 850 cycles, retains 99.95% capacity

 China scientists’ breakthrough organic flow battery, remains at 99.95% capacity after 850 Cycles

Chinese researchers achieved a breakthrough in their development of organic flow batteries, creating novel ORAMs which helped them achieve significant numbers in aqueous flow batteries. In the recent findings by researchers from the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, they were able to retain as much as 99.95% capacity even after running 850 cycles with their new cell. This latest development is novel naphthalene derivative-based electrolytes which are air-stable, overcoming the challenges and effects of not using inert gases. With new organic molecules, the organic flow battery performed well for 600 cycles without a drop in capacity. This new breakthrough in battery technology is promising. Researchers at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics have developed novel naphthalene-based organic redox-active molecules (ORAMs) for aqueous organic flow batteries. The newly developed ORAMs demonstrate that they can achieve stable cycling in normal ait-atmosphere conditions, a press release said. A redox flow battery is a type of electrochemical cell in which electric current is generated by components dissolved in liquids stored on opposite sites of a membrane. Advantages of redox flow batteries include their ability to scale power and low cost of ownership. However, low cycle energy and the use of rare metals like vanadium have limited their use. 

According to the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics' press release, organic redox-active molecules (ORAMs) now bring promising developments for aqueous organic flow batteries (AOFBs), centring on air-stable naphthalene-based organic materials. The researchers focused on chemical and in-situ electrochemical methods to synthesize active naphthalene derivatives to purify the ORAMs and make them cost-effective and scalable. In their tests, its naphthalene flow batteries using 1.5 mol/L electrolytes produce a stable performance that reached up to 850 cycles or around 40 days while retaining 99.95% capacity. Notably, its battery performed up to 600 cycles or as much as 22 cycles and remained at full capacity while being exposed to air. Research is on going to develop organic redox flow batteries, in which organic materials are used, which are widely available and easier to produce. Depending on the solvent used for the electrolyte, organic redox batteries can be classified into two major categories: aqueous and non-aqueous. An aqueous organic flow battery (AOFB) uses water as an electrolyte, whereas a non-aqueous organic flow battery (NAOFB) uses an organic solvent. 

Breakthroughs and Developments

Batteries are best known for being the top power source for devices or electronics which are not connected to a direct plug, but it is notorious for their planet-exhaustive development, particularly as they require rare Earth metals. Many companies have since looked for alternative components that would make it cost-effective and less harmful through mining, centring on lithium-free power cells. The current main source of alternative energy sources target on lithium-ion batteries, and it is known for its typical use of fossil fuels, which are ironically, harmful to the environment. Murdoch University researchers have since found a suitable electrode alternative that is abundant in bio-waste products, as chicken eggshells were found to be capable of powering batteries. While there are many already looking into new power cell developments, organic flow batteries are among those which are promising in today's day and age, meant for large-capacity applications. China's Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics has discovered a breakthrough for AOFBs with the new ORAMs, centring on air-stable energy storage for future applications.

Challenges

Various types of AOFBs are in the works, classified based on the pH of the electrolyte, neutral and acid, and offer cost and scale benefits. However, the organic redox-active molecules (ORAMs) used in the batteries are prone to deactivation due to side reactions if not used with an inert gas. This can increase the cost of battery maintenance since the capacity loss is irreversible and severely degrades the battery’s lifespan as well. A team led by Zhang Changkun and Li Xianfeng, both professors at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, developed novel naphthalene-based derivatives with active hydroxyls and dimethylamine scaffolds which provide stability in air and can, therefore, be used in AOFBs. 

What was Achieved? 

The researchers used a combination of chemical and in situ electrochemical methods to synthesize the active naphthalene derivatives. This approach not only made it easier to purify the ORAMs but is also scalable and cost-effective. The electrochemical step added another advantage since the researchers could now introduce hydrophilic alkylamine scaffolds into the naphthalene derivatives. This serves as protection from unintended side reactions while also improving the solubility of the molecules in the water-based electrolyte. In their tests, the researchers found that the naphthalene flow battery, when used with a 1.5 mol/L electrolyte, has stable cycling performance for up to 850 cycles (approximately 40 days). The capacity of the battery was recorded at 50 Ah per liter. The researchers introduced a continuous air flow in the catholyte to test whether the AOFB could work with air exposure. They found that the battery performed well for 600 cycles (approximately 22 days) without a drop in performance or capacity. The researchers designed pilot-scale battery packs with their new synthesis and operation procedures. They tested them for stability and performance in the lab. With a capacity of 330 Ah, the pilot battery packs demonstrated cycling stability for 270 cycles (27 days) and capacity retention of 99.95% per cycle. In addition to the performance improvements, the researchers also worked on the scalability of naphthalene derivatives production and achieved outputs of 11 pounds (five kg) per pot, the press release added. 

Application in the Future

ORAMs were infamous for their renowned instability as well as high costs, but the researchers were able to synthesize active naphthalene derivatives which helped reduce the cost of molecular synthesis. In their study, the team's as-prepared naphthalene derivatives were able to deliver a "multisubstituted framework with hydrophilic alkylamine scaffolds" that help protect against possible reactions. This outcome was said to improve its solubility in aqueous electrolytes, opening up the future for its AOFB applications. According to Professor Li Xianfeng, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), “This study is expected to open a new field in the design of air-stable molecular for sustainable and air-stable electrochemical energy storage”. 

AIRBUS A350-1000

 AIRBUS A350-1000

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