Rare albino snake rescued in Panchagarh

A rare yellowish-white checkered keelback snake with albinism has been rescued from Boda upazila of Panchagarh, attracting attention because of its unusual body coloration.

Wildlife rescuer and founding president of the Wildlife Md Sahidul Islam and Snake Rescue Team in Bangladesh, rescued the snake recently from Haldiyapukur village under Moydandighi union of the upazila on Sunday.

The snake has been identified as a checkered keelback (Fowlea piscator), a completely non-venomous species.

According to sources, normally, checkered keelbacks have brown or dark-coloured bodies with distinctive markings. However, the rescued snake has an unusual yellowish-white appearance due to a rare genetic condition known as albinism.

The source also informed that the Albinism is a congenital genetic condition characterised by a significant reduction or complete absence of melanin, the pigment responsible for natural body coloration. The condition may also affect eye colour.

Sahidul Islam said the rescued snake had several wounds on its body. Its unusual coloration was believed to be the result of albinism, which is rarely observed in this species.

He said the snake would be kept under observation to monitor its physical condition after shedding its skin a few times.

Once its health condition is assessed, the snake will be released into a suitable natural habitat, he added.