Scientists Identify New Reed Snake Species Calamaria mizoramensis in Mizoram

Exam-focused facts from the 7 January 2026 current affairs briefing.

Key facts

Scientists have identified a new species of reed snake, Calamaria mizoramensis, in Mizoram, India.
The breakthrough came with a fresh round of research published in Zootaxa.
The snake showed more than a 15 per cent genetic difference from its closest known relatives.
This newly identified snake is non-venomous and mostly active at night.
It prefers moist, forested hills and has been found at elevations between 670 and 1,295 metres.