Snake Named After Legendary ‘Indiana Jones’ Star Harrison Ford: “I Don’t Understand Why”

• Actor Harrison Ford is regarded as an American icon and has starred in numerous blockbuster movies, including Indiana Jones, Raiders of the Arc and Blade Runner
• A recent discovery of a new species of snake Tachymenoides harrisonfordi, in Peru saw scientists name it after Ford
• In response to the naming of the reptile after him, the actor said it was humbling and noted there is more to learn about our wild world

Actor Harrison Ford has a snake species named after him.

Harrison Ford honoured

The new snake species found in the Peruvian Andes was named Tachymenoides harrisonfordi in honour of Ford’s environmental work.

Hollywood Reporter reported that researchers chose to honour Ford, the vice chair of Conservation International, for his dedication to the conservation of nature and biodiversity.

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Ford also inspired the name of an ant (Pheidole Harrisonfordi) and a spider (Calponia Harrisonfordi).

The Hollywood star noted that he was humbled for inspiring the naming of the snake.

He said:

“These scientists keep naming critters after me, but it’s always the ones that terrify children. I don’t understand. I spend my free time cross-stitching. I sing lullabies to my basil plants, so they won’t fear the night."

Adding:

"In all seriousness, this discovery is humbling. It’s a reminder that there’s still so much to learn about our wild world and that humans are one small part of an impossibly vast biosphere."

Snake found was male

This snake is 16 inches long and has pale yellow-brown skin with black spots, a black belly, and a copper-coloured eye with a vertical stripe.

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Researchers only found one male snake of this species in May 2022 while it was basking in the sun.

They described the snake and its name in a scientific journal Salamandra.

Harrison Ford accepted snake's name

Professor of biology at Illinois Wesleyan University, Edgar Lehr, said the team is honoured Ford accepted the snake to be named after him.

“For a biologist, describing a new species and making it public with its new name is one of the most vital activities during the biodiversity crisis," Lehr said.

Two black mambas found wrestling each other

In a similar article, Briefly News reported that two male black mambas were caught fighting over a female in KwaZulu-Natal.

The snakes wrestled for mating rights, and the loser slithered away.

Nick Evans told Briefly News that mating season for black mambas usually occurs in winter and the males battle for the female's attention.

Source: TUKO.co.ke