The team found the snake while they were researching about sea serpents near Weipa, a mining town on the west coast of the remote Cape York Peninsula peninsula located in Far North Queensland, Australia in May.
When examined by Bryan's student, Chantelle Derez, the bands are classified as a new species. This snake is visually and genetically different from that found on the East coast of Australia and other parts of the region.
The research team found a number of these specimens in their natural habitat, near Weipa. Some were reportedly killed by cars near the mine, while two more were found in museum collections.
Biologists have previously realized there are five species of bandy-bandy (Vermicella annulata) also known as a snake hoop that can be lightweight, can grow to about one meter, and feed exclusively to the blind flock.
DNA analysis confirmed the discovery of this new species and then officially named it Vermicella parscauda.
Research Queensland biologists, published in the journal Zootaxa, also determined that the species is more closely related to the bandies living in the tropical forests of Western Australia.