Great news for Harry Potter enthusiasts in India! In a delightful revelation, a snake named after a character from the beloved novel-turned-movie series has been identified in Assam. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma recently announced the discovery of the Salazar pit viper in Kaziranga National Park. Named after Salazar Slytherin, one of the esteemed founders of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the Harry Potter universe, this snake boasts a striking green color with a distinctive red-orange stripe on its head.
Salazar Slytherin, known for his ability to communicate with snakes, lends his name to the Salazar pit viper, which also serves as the symbol of the Slytherin Hogwarts house in J.K. Rowling’s iconic fantasy novels.
Mr. Sarma enthusiastically shared this find on his official social media account, describing the snake as a “real-life Harry Potter snake” and showcasing its vibrant appearance in three captivating pictures.
🌟 Guess what, kids? 🐍 Kaziranga just found a real-life Harry Potter snake! Meet the super cool Salazar Pit Viper: it’s green like magic and has a funky red-orange stripe on its head. Isn’t nature awesome? 🌿✨ #MagicalSnake #KazirangaAdventures pic.twitter.com/GMxKuszzB7
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) July 8, 2024
In another exciting development related to Harry Potter-themed discoveries in India, researchers in Arunachal Pradesh recently identified a new species of venomous snake in the Pakke Tiger Reserve. Named Trimeresurus Salazar, or commonly known as Salazar’s pit viper, this species was discovered during a field expedition in 2019.
These pit vipers are typically found across East and Southeast Asia, adding to the rich biodiversity and magical allure of the region.