For a guitarist with the status and career success of Slash, you might think he’s accomplished all his dreams, but a new one just came true. A newly discovered snake Lielaphis slashi, which will be commonly called Slash’s groundsnake, was named after the legendary Guns N’ Roses guitarist.
Snake Discovery and Naming
A newly discovered snake Lielaphis slashi, which will be commonly called Slash’s groundsnake, was named after the legendary Guns N’ Roses guitarist. Slash said in a statement, “As a long time herpephile, I am extremely honored and humbled to have Lielaphis slashi from New Guinea named after me. It is really exciting, I never would have imagined this moment would arrive.”
Research and Identification
Slash’s groundsnake was discovered, researched, and identified as a new species by biologists Tianqi Huang, Chris Austin, Justin Bernstein, Bulisa Iova, Jackson Roberts, Jeffrey Frederick, and Sara Ruane of the Field Museum. Ruane isn’t just a fan of reptiles. She’s also a Guns N’ Roses fan. “Guns N’ Roses has been one of my favorite bands since I was in first grade, and by fifth grade, I had already told my teacher that I wanted to be a herpetologist– a scientist who studies reptiles– when I grew up,” Ruane said in the statement.
Slash’s Love for Snakes
The human Slash has been a well-known enthusiast of snakes and a supporter of reptile conservation and museums. The guitarist’s musical side project was known as Slash’s Snakepit. If you need further proof of his love for snakes, Slash named his traveling blues tour S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Festival. Slash’s groundsnake is non-venomous and can measure about 28 inches.
Conservation Message
While it’s neat that the guitarist and reptile fan got a snake named after him, the biologists who gave that title also have a serious message. “The habitats that Slash’s groundsnake is from are under threat from industries like coffee farming and mining,” Ruane said. “That’s part of why describing the species that live there is important. Every species should be recognized in order for us to better understand how ecosystems work, how everything fits into the environment. We can’t conserve animals or other living things that we don’t know about.”
Guns N’ Roses Tour
Guns N’ Roses are currently on a North American tour. Fans can look for tickets via Vivid Seats, where they can save $20 on their first order of $200 or more with promo code CONSEQUENCE20 at checkout. Guns N’ Roses 2026 North American Tour Dates:
08/22 – Las Vegas, NV @ Allegiant Stadium ^
08/26 – Edmonton, AB @ Commonwealth Stadium ^
08/29 – Vancouver, BC @ BC Place ^
09/02 – San Diego, CA @ Snapdragon Stadium ^
09/05 – Pasadena, CA @ Rose Bowl %
09/09 – Arlington, TX @ Globe Life Field !
09/12 – Ridgedale, MO @ Thunder Ridge Nature Arena #
09/16 – San Antonio, TX @ Alamodome !
09/19 – Atlanta, GA @ Truist Park
* = w/ Public Enemy
^ = w/ The Black Crowes
! = w/ Pierce the Veil
# = w/ The Barbarians of California
% = w/ Ice Cube
In conclusion, the discovery of Lielaphis slashi, or Slash’s groundsnake, is a unique honor for the legendary Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash, who is a well-known enthusiast of snakes and supporter of reptile conservation. The biologists who discovered the species also highlight the importance of conservation and recognizing species to understand ecosystems and the environment. As Guns N’ Roses continues their North American tour, fans can look forward to seeing the band perform live, while also appreciating the significance of Slash’s groundsnake and the conservation message it brings.
Pixel P. Snarkbyte, widely regarded as the “Shakespeare of Sh*tposts,” is a video game expert with a unique knack for turning pixels into punchlines.
Born in the small town of Respawn, Pennsylvania, Pixel grew up mashing buttons on an ancient NES controller, firmly believing that “blowing into the cartridge” was a sacred ritual passed down through generations.
Pixel P. Snarkbyte: proving that life, much like a buggy open-world game, is better with a little lag-induced chaos.
