A rare rainbow-coloured snake called Sibon lamari lives in Costa Rica’s forests and eats only snails. Learn why this snake is so special and in danger.
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| Sibon lamari |
A Colourful Snake That Loves Snails
Inside the deep green rainforests of Costa Rica, lives a small, beautiful snake called Sibon lamari. People also call it the Costa Rican snail-eater. This snake is not dangerous to humans. In fact, it only eats snails and slugs!
The snake looks magical. It has bright rainbow colours on its body, big shiny eyes, and a long, thin shape. But very few people have seen it in real life because it lives deep in the forest and comes out mostly at night.
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A Rare Snake Found Again
For many years, scientists only had a few photos of this snake. But in 2024, during a research trip in the Talamanca Mountains, they found it again! They took beautiful pictures that made people around the world very excited.
The snake moves slowly on wet leaves and small branches. It is calm, quiet, and blends into the forest. But what makes it really different is its food habit.
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| Sibon lamari |
A Snail Specialist
Unlike other snakes, Sibon lamari does not eat rats, birds, or frogs. It eats only snails and soft slugs. It has thin curved teeth that can go inside the snail shell and pull the animal out, like a tiny tool!
Because it eats snails, it helps control the snail population in the forest. It is doing a great job for the ecosystem.
Why This Snake Needs Protection
Sibon lamari lives in rainforests that are very wet and full of trees. But now, these forests are getting destroyed because of deforestation and climate change. As trees are cut down and the weather changes, the snake is losing its home and food.
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| Sibon lamari |
That’s why scientists and wildlife experts are saying:
"We must protect the cloud forests of Costa Rica to save this rare snake and many more species like it."
A Warning from Nature
Sibon lamari is not just a pretty snake. It is a bio-indicator. That means when this snake is healthy and present, the forest is also healthy. If it disappears, it’s a signal that the environment is in trouble.
So saving this snake is not just about saving one animal, it’s about saving the whole forest.
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