http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/13/science/new-ghost-snake-madagascar.html 2016-09-12 19:06:29 The New Ghost Snake of Madagascar Scientists discovered Madagoscarophis lolo, a new species of snake, on a rocky plateau in northern Madagascar. === A new species of snake — pale gray, with white and black spots — was discovered on a rocky plateau in northern Madagascar. Researchers are calling it Madagoscarophis lolo, after the Malagasy word for “ghost.” The snakes of the Madagoscarophis genus, generally active at twilight and at night, are called “cat-eyed snakes” for their vertical pupils. The new 20-inch specimen was found during an expedition in 2014, and a DNA analysis Although the scientists do not yet know its population size, the ghost snake was found in a protected national park and they do not believe it is endangered.