From pet aquariums to the reefs of Bora-Bora: See the latest new species
The summaries below were drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All linked stories were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.
Unique creatures, odd animals and new species are discovered across the planet. Some are found lurking in remote corners of the world, while others have been hiding right under our noses.
Learn more about some of the best new discoveries:
'Long'-limbed creature with bright yellow belly found lurking. It's a new species
In western Thailand, scientists discovered a new species of gecko named Cnemaspis enneaporus, or the Sai Yok rock gecko, while exploring a karst forest. These geckos have slender bodies, large eyes, and distinct coloring, with males displaying a bright yellow belly. The discovery highlights the rich biodiversity of the Sai Yok District, where these geckos were found. | Published Feb. 7 | Read More |
Sleeping creature with 'dagger-like spines' found in Vietnam. It's a new species
In the forests of southern Vietnam, researchers discovered a new species of lizard called Acanthosaura cuongi, or Cuong's horned tree lizard. These lizards are moderately-sized with 'dagger-like spines' and varying colors, blending well with their surroundings. The species was named in honor of Vietnamese researcher Cuong The Pham for his contributions to herpetological research. | Published Feb. 6 | Read More |
'Vivid' green creature — with beefed-up forearms — is new species in China. See it
In southern China, a new species of frog called Amolops gudao, or the Gudao Cascade frog, was discovered in the Gaoligong Mountains. These medium-sized frogs have 'vivid' green skin with black spots and notably robust forearms. The species was named after the Southern Silk Road, reflecting its historical significance. | Published Feb. 12 | Read More |
Scuba diver spots 'spaghetti'-like creature — and discovers new species in Bora-Bora
A marine biologist discovered a new species of marine worm, Loimia poraporaensis, or the Porapora spaghetti worm, while diving in Bora-Bora. These worms have long white tentacles and live in tubes made of coral fragments. The species was named after Bora-Bora, where it was first found, and plays a critical role in marine ecosystems. | Published Feb. 6 | Read More |
'Armored' river creature found in pet aquariums worldwide turns out to be new species
In Brazil's Xingu River, researchers identified a new species of catfish, Hypancistrus seideli, or Seidel's armored catfish, known for its maze-like pattern and popularity in aquariums. These medium-sized catfish have armor-like plates and large eyes, with a distinctive color pattern. The species was named in honor of aquarist Ingo Seidel for his contributions to the field. | Published Feb. 12 | Read More |
McClatchy News continues to follow the discovery of the most unusual and intriguing new species. Check back for the latest studies.
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From the bottom of the sea to the tops of trees: See newly discovered species
The summaries below were drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All linked stories were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists. Unique creatures, odd animals and new species are being discovered across the planet. Some are found lurking in remote corners of the world, while others have been hiding right under our noses. Learn more about some recent new species discoveries: 'Long'-tailed creature gets caught in trap in India forest. It's a new species In the dense forests of Uttarakhand, India, researchers discovered a new species of bat named Myotis himalaicus, or the Himalayan long-tailed Myotis. This elusive bat, with its long tail and delicate features, was found during wildlife surveys conducted between 2017 and 2021. The species was identified by its unique DNA and physical characteristics. | Published June 6 | Read More | Five-armed creature — covered in 'axes' — found off Taiwan. See the new species Off the coast of Taiwan, a new species of brittle star, Breviturma securis, was discovered. Known for its axe-shaped patterns on its arms, this creature was found in the intertidal zones and shallow waters. Previously misidentified, this brittle star's true identity was confirmed through DNA analysis. | Published June 10 | Read More | 'Gargantua' deep-sea creature among new species found in Atlantic. See them In the depths of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, researchers found two new species of marine snails, including Peltospira gargantua. These snails, discovered near hydrothermal vents, are notable for their large size compared to their relatives. The discovery was made using remote underwater vehicles. | Published June 11 | Read More | 'Large' creature with spines on its belly found at waterfall. It's a new species In the forests of northern Vietnam, scientists discovered Ohler's spiny frog, or Quasipaa ohlerae. This large frog, with its distinctive spines and heart-shaped tongue, was found near rocky streams. The species was named in honor of a colleague and identified through DNA analysis. | Published June 11 | Read More | 'Large' creature with heart-shaped tongue found in Vietnam. It's a new species Binh's spiny frog, or Quasipaa binhi, was discovered in the forests of central Vietnam. Known for its robust body and heart-shaped tongue, this frog was found near forest streams. The species was named in memory of a colleague and identified by its unique physical features and genetic divergence. | Published June 12 | Read More | McClatchy News continues to follow the discovery and sightings of unusual and intriguing species. Check back for the latest stories.
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Battle to eradicate invasive pythons in Florida achieves stunning milestone
A startling milestone has been reached in Florida's war against the invasive Burmese pythons eating their way across the Everglades. The Conservancy of Southwest Florida reports it has captured and humanely killed 20 tons of the snakes since 2013, including a record 6,300 pounds of pythons killed this past breeding season, according to a June 9 news release. To put that in perspective, 20 tons — or 40,000 pounds — is a mound of snakes the size of a fire truck ... or a fully loaded city bus. What's startling is those 1,400 snakes didn't come from a statewide culling. They came from a 200-square-mile area in southwestern Florida, the conservancy reports. The greater Everglades ecosystem, where the snakes are thriving, covers more than 7,800 square miles, according to wildlife biologist Ian Bartoszek, the Conservancy Science Project Manager who oversees the python program. It's estimated tens of thousands of pythons are roaming the region, the U.S. Geological Survey says. 'I guess the real question is what did it take in native animals to make 20 tons of python? ... It still amazes me how big these animals get and how many of them are out there,' Bartoszek told McClatchy News in a phone interview. 'Pythons have indeterminate growth and the more they eat, the larger they become. On this project we have captured the largest female by weight at just under 18 (feet) but weighing a massive 215 pounds and the largest male at 16 (feet) and 140 pounds. Their size is a reflection of the available prey base. We probably grow them larger in Southwest Florida because we still have deer and medium-sized mammals for them to prey upon. In portions of the eastern Everglades, it is likely the reverse.' University of Florida researchers have identified 85 species of birds and mammals (including reptiles) that are being eaten by pythons in the Everglades, leading to fears they are decimating some native mammal populations, Bartoszek says. Southwestern Florida's wetlands are like a buffet for pythons, putting the region and the conservancy on the front lines. It's only with the help of technology that the conservancy has gained ground since starting the python program in 2013, Bartoszek says. This includes a scout snake program that fits radio telemetry trackers on 40 male pythons, so they can be tracked to reproductive females during mating season (November through April). Those females are humanely euthanized and the tagged males are freed to track down more females. The program has prevented more than 20,000 python eggs from hatching, the conservancy says. 'Long-term monitoring has shown signs of positive effectiveness of these efforts, as scout snakes increasingly struggle to locate mates or the females they find are smaller in size,' the conservancy says. Bartoszek's team, which includes biologist Ian Easterling, made headlines in 2024 when it walked up on a 115-pound python swallowing a 77-pound deer. That amounted to 66.9% of the snake's body mass and proved they are eating larger prey in Florida. The female python captured and swallowed the live deer in less than an hour, the team concluded. Among the other disconcerting discoveries made: The snakes are expanding their range. They are well established in counties along Florida's southeastern and southwestern coasts and sightings are now being reported near Lake Okeechobee, Bartoszek says. That's about a 110-mile drive northwest from Miami. 'The Burmese python always continues to surprise me and I have an internal memory reel of all the firsts we have seen on the project. The most visceral ones are when we see first hand what they are consuming,' Bartoszek said. 'But those are counterbalanced by seeing native wildlife fighting back, like when we discovered a bobcat that had predated upon one of our scout snakes. Or when we had tracked hatchling pythons over many summers and would eventually be tracking the predators that consumed them, including an endangered eastern Indigo snake. Those feels like wins for the home team when you get to see the Everglades fighting back.' Burmese pythons are native to southeastern Asia, but they began appearing in Florida in the 1970s, according to the South Florida Water Management District. It's suspected the snakes were pets, and they were either released by their owners or escaped captivity, the district says. 'The Burmese python is decimating native wildlife across their invaded range. ... The python team's work of reducing the local population of the invasive snake allows our native wildlife safer conditions to recover,' said Rob Moher, Conservancy of Southwest Florida president and CEO. The Conservancy of Southwest Florida is an environmental organization based in Naples that works to protect natural resources and wildlife in Collier, Lee, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades counties. It collaborates with the U.S. Geological Survey, National Park Service, University of Florida, Florida Fish and Wildlife, South Florida Water Management District, Rookery Bay Research Reserve and Naples Zoo.
