I think i have discovered a new species of snake, im sure of it, how do i get it reconized and identified? ?

Question

the smallest snake was discovered in barbados recently, i have one smaller, and this type of snake is not known if florida, wehat do i do???? who do i cantact and can i get credit if it is a new species?

Answer 1

New species are discovered all the time. If it is new, you do get the credit AND the naming rights. Good luck to you and I hope you are right. It's a real accomplishment if it's true. Not too many people get a chance to do such a thing.

Answer 2

You can take it to a local university..but with all the exotics in Florida..I bet it is a non-native from somewhere else in the world that has been released there, or was born of an animal that was once a pet.  

Answer 3

i bet you're wrong.  take it to the university nearby and they will identify it for you.

Answer 4

It could be a baby. It could also be poisonous. Take a picture and note its location. Then contact a biology department at a university.

Answer 5

The U. of FL has a herpetologist, as does the state museum. There is also a very good book on the herps of FL (by Goin and Goin, if I remember correctly). The first thing is to identify the snake as far as possible. If it is a new species, you have to figure out what it is related to. You could either work with a herpetologist on this for junior authorship (assuming that it IS new) or turn over the work to him and hope that he names it after you. That's neat too.