How a newly classified species of snake was discovered in Saudi Arabia’s ancient AlUla oasis

The newly-discovered Rhynchocalamus hejazicus snake in AlUla. (RCU)
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Updated 03 August 2024
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How a newly classified species of snake was discovered in Saudi Arabia’s ancient AlUla oasis

  • The vibrant reptile is completely new to science, underscoring the rich biodiversity of AlUla and the value of conservation efforts
  • Its discovery is viewed as pivotal for understanding the ecological dynamics of the region and the adaptive strategies of desert wildlife

DHAHRAN: Scientists working in northwestern Saudi Arabia’s ancient oasis of AlUla were thrilled earlier this year to discover a new species of snake. With its striking red hue and chic black collar, the reptile is perfectly adapted to camouflage against the sand and rock of the Hejaz.

Laszlo Patko, who for the past two years has worked as the applied research lead at the Royal Commission for AlUla, inventorying the biodiversity of the region, was part of the team that discovered the charismatic new and non-venomous species.

“The snake species, Rhynchocalamus hejazicus, is not just new to the region or the country — it’s new to science,” the Hungarian academic told Arab News.

Institutions involved with the discovery include the RCU, the University of Ha’il, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, and the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve Development Authority.

These Saudi institutions worked alongside experts from Portugal’s Universidade do Porto, Egypt’s Suez University, Yemen’s University of Aden, and Malaysia’s Natural History Collective Ventures.

Together with his Saudi, Czech, and Portuguese colleagues, Patko compiled the findings into a paper. Within just a matter of months, it was published in the prestigious international, peer-reviewed life science journal Zoosystematics and Evolution.




Laszlo Patko, Applied Research lead at the Royal Commission for AlUla. (RCU)

It was very, very quick, because it was a thorough, high-quality paper with substantial scientific results,” said Patko. “It was quickly accepted and published.

“For me, that was the real happiness to see that it’s not just an important discovery for us, but for the entire international scientific community.”

The published paper describes the new species as “a small, secretive snake, with distinctive coloration and a melanistic morph. The new species occurs in the northwestern Hejaz region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and fills a large part of the existing distribution gap of the genus in the Arabian Peninsula.”

Stephen Browne, vice president of wildlife and natural heritage at the RCU, said the unearthing of this new species demonstrated the vital importance of the Kingdom’s conservation efforts.

“This discovery is not merely about cataloging a new species; it reflects the ongoing commitment to safeguarding the lush, diverse ecosystems of AlUla,” Browne said in a statement. “It’s a symbol of our dedication to preserving this unique oasis.

A spokesperson for the RCU concurred there was clearly still much to learn about the adaptability of desert animals.

“This find is pivotal for understanding the ecological dynamics of the region and the adaptive strategies of its desert wildlife, enhancing AlUla’s reputation as a sanctuary for both historical and natural treasures,” the spokesperson said in a statement.

The project that led to the snake’s discovery began with a region-wide wildlife inventory, which kicked off in November 2022, centered around documenting the area’s biodiversity.




With its striking red hue and chic black collar, the reptile is perfectly adapted to camouflage against the sand and rock of the Hejaz. (RCU)

“We never had this kind of rigorous, scientific knowledge-gathering before,” said Patko. “In the framework of this project, we ‘accidentally’ found this new species.

“It was an accident in the sense that we thoroughly surveyed all our nature reserves and described all the species we could find. We knew some species existed in the reserve but didn’t know their exact numbers or locations.”

Scientists had an inkling that the region could be home to new species. Between 2017 and 2022, geckos and snakes had been observed in the area, but had never been collected and rigorously described. The inventory offered the perfect opportunity to fill in these blanks.

In 2023, the team dedicated their time in the desert to observing animals based on morphology, including the study of their external characteristics, color, scale pattern, and DNA.

DID YOUKNOW?

• Roughly half of AlUla’s territory is taken up by six nature reserves, including the Sharaan Nature Reserve, which spans 1,500 sq. km.

• These reserves are home to more than 1,580 animals from four species that have been successfully reintroduced to the region.

• Through habitat restoration, native species reintroduction, and sustainable practices, AlUla aims to create thriving and harmonious ecosystems.

“Of course, there are occasional ad hoc observations, but if you are out in the field, you work really hard,” said Patko.

“You get up in the desert, you sleep in the desert. You work in the desert with 10-15 different experts. Then, this hard work pays off. It’s a very cool way to get proof of why it’s important to be in the field.”

Using online databases, the team expected to find species like Walterinnesia aegyptia, also known as the desert cobra or desert black snake — indigenous to nearby Khaybar, where the reptile is well camouflaged against the volcanic landscape.




The Walterinnesia aegyptia, also known as the desert cobra or desert black snake, is indigenous to nearby Khaybar, where the reptile is well camouflaged against the volcanic landscape. (Wikimedia Commons) 

“Harrat Khaybar is mostly black and gray because of the basalt and the old volcanic activity,” said Patko. “The first individual we found was melanistic — a completely black snake.”

The newly discovered snake, by contrast, is a vibrant red, having evolved to blend in with AlUla’s distinctive red, orange, and yellow color palette. “It was very obvious that this is indeed a new species,” said Patko.

Like many desert dwellers, the snake is nocturnal. “During the day, because of the very hot weather, Rhynchocalamus hejazicus probably hides under rocks,” said Patko. “At night, they come out to hunt for invertebrates, small insects.”

And although it has tiny fangs with which to strike its prey, the snake does not carry venom. It is also relatively small. “It’s a very cool snake; a small snake about 20-30 centimeters long, easy to handle,” said Patko.

According to Patko, there are fewer than 20 snake species known in AlUla, perhaps closer to 18. There remains much to learn about this latest addition to the reptile community.




With its striking red hue and chic black collar, the reptile is perfectly adapted to camouflage against the sand and rock of the Hejaz. (RCU)

“We actually don’t know much about their ecology because we just recently described the species. So we can only guess,” said Patko.

“All the snakes we found were alone. Some snakes can gather in one place during winter, but not these.”

One thing Patko believes is clear, however, is the value of AlUla as a thriving natural habitat, making conservation efforts in the region all the more important in the interests of science and biodiversity.

“What’s quite exceptional in this story is how the AlUla deserts can hold these hidden gems,” he said.
 

 


Franco-Saudi music week unites cultures in Jeddah

Updated 5 sec ago
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Franco-Saudi music week unites cultures in Jeddah

  • French musicians and artists descend on the Kingdom’s second city
  • Week-long festivities kicked off coinciding with World Music Day

JEDDAH: A week-long music festival is celebrating the rich artistic ties between France and Saudi Arabia through a series of talks, musical performances and jam sessions in Jeddah.

Having kicked off on World Music Day – June 21 – the Music Week in Jeddah: A Franco-Saudi Celebration runs until June 27 and is hosted by the French Embassy and consulate in Jeddah in partnership with the Alliance Francaise, Art Jameel, Call of Culture, Music Home, Sout Albalad and Siddharta Lounge.

One of the featured events was a DJ session by French artist SONGE at Siddharta Lounge by Buddha Bar on Tuesday. She told Arab News that through her music she aims “to break boundaries and create inclusive spaces where diverse voices and energies can connect.”

GUITARRAMA, the Ninth Artistic Music and Music Education Forum, hosted at Music Home on Monday, brought together a number of artists and experts.

It was spearheaded by Anouar Kablaoui, instructor at Music Home Higher Institute and founder of the forum.

Kablaoui said: “This ninth edition explores how the guitar, a traditionally Western instrument, is being reimagined within Arabic musical aesthetics, jazz vocabularies and local creative industries.”

The forum also featured Saudi jazz guitarist Aqeel Hussein, who reflected on his personal journey with jazz, beginning at an American university and continuing with his efforts to bring the genre into the Saudi musical landscape since 2004.

“This forum was an opportunity to share my story and the passion that drives me to keep performing and educating through jazz. It’s about showing how music can evolve when it crosses borders, while staying true to its roots,” Hussein told Arab News.

A performance by the student band Zakharef, formed by students of the University of Business and Technology, captured the spirit of the night. The band’s musical debut was a tribute to the Hijazi heritage and the historical charm of Jeddah’s Al-Balad, forming an emotional and lasting moment for both the performers and the audience.

Hayy Jameel is set to host an open jam session with French-Moroccan artist Karimouche on Thursday in collaboration with Hayy Sounds.

The performance promises a dynamic fusion of Eastern melodies, hip-hop, spoken word and beatbox — blending tradition and modernity in a truly global dialogue of sound.

Karimouche, the stage name of French Moroccan artist Karima Amarouche, told Arab News: “It’s an honor for me to participate in the emancipation of women in music here.”

She is known for fusing rap, spoken word, and North African rhythms in songs that explore themes of identity and resistance. She revealed that her Hayy Jameel performance will feature songs from both her latest album “Folies Berberes” and earlier works.

She also shared how her collaboration with Saudi artist Roaa Lam began: “I saw her on Instagram. I listened and thought, ‘Wow, I love this artist. She’s amazing’.”

Karimouche is deeply committed to working with women in music, both in France and abroad. “It’s important for me. There’s a sense of female solidarity. It’s an honor for me to participate in the emancipation of women in music here, and to witness the growing freedom year after year. God willing, I hope to return every year.”

Reflecting on her time in Saudi Arabia so far, she said: “The music scene here is very rich. The collaboration with the all-female band Siham in Riyadh was magical. We created new pieces together and blended our styles. Now, the same is happening here with Roaa.”

Kosh spoke to Arab News about how he imitates instruments with his unique style of beatboxing.

He explained that his journey began in childhood: “When I was a kid, I played with toy cars and made sounds … that evolved into beatboxing.”

Over the years, his talents have taken him to major venues, including the Montreux Festival in France. He now mixes beatboxing with humor, spoken word and live music.

Roaa Lam, the Saudi oud player, told Arab News about how she perceives oud and music: “For me, it’s not composition — it’s emotional storytelling”

Representing Saudi Arabia in the international collaboration, Lam is a self-taught oud player, singer, and composer who brings authenticity and deep emotion to her music.

“I compose music and collaborate with other artists,” she said.

Lam spoke about one of her most meaningful projects: A piece called Kurd Al-Tha’alib (Kurd of the Foxes), which she composed using field recordings of women’s voices in a public garden in Jeddah, before their neighborhood was demolished.

“I used the musical mode ‘Kurd’ and named the piece after the neighborhood that was called Al-Tha’alib before it was torn down,” she said.

The piece was performed at the Feminist Festival in Berlin — a milestone in her growing international presence.

She also reflected on her musical journey: “I’ve been playing oud for about six years. I taught myself. I never studied in a music school — it’s all self-expression. That’s what music is to me.”

Music Week in Jeddah is a creative crossroads. Through the voices of artists, the festival highlights the richness of cultural exchange and the transformative power of music to build empathy, connection and beauty.

As Karimouche put it: “My heart is full. The people here are respectful, kind and creative. I’ve learned so much from the Saudi artists.”

The celebration will conclude on Friday with an energetic Open Mic Night at Hayy Jameel, hosted by Slow Moe and spotlighting the emerging Saudi rap scene. This finale aims to showcase the voices of local youth and their growing impact on the global hip-hop scene.

Reflecting on the celebrations, Larry Lamartiniere, managing director of Alliance Francaise de Djeddah, said: “Alliance Francaise de Djeddah is thrilled to celebrate La fete de la musique alongside its partners. It is an event that transcends borders and brings people together through the universal language of music.”

Mohammed Nehad, consul general of France in Jeddah, said the event is a “powerful symbol of the deepening friendship and cultural cooperation between France and Saudi Arabia,” adding that he hopes it will continue to “energize the local cultural scene in Jeddah.”


Saudi program expands support in rural communities 

Updated 5 min 28 sec ago
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Saudi program expands support in rural communities 

  • Program now has 87,235 beneficiaries across the Kingdom

RIYADH: The Sustainable Agricultural Rural Development Program, known as Saudi Reef, has announced that it now has 87,235 beneficiaries across the Kingdom.

This is a part of efforts to promote economic and social stability in rural areas and support agricultural workers and families involved in cottage industries, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

Majed Al-Buraikan, Saudi Reef’s assistant secretary-general for media and communication, said the support from the nation’s leadership has helped to expand the number of beneficiaries and achieve tangible results.

He said this reflects the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to support the agricultural sector and develop rural areas, the SPA added. 

Al-Buraikan said the program has several main pillars, including developing agricultural and livestock production, empowering rural women, and supporting small-scale fishermen.

The program also focuses on adding value to products which was key to sustainable rural development and boosting the income of families across the regions, he added.

Al-Buraikan said Saudi Reef continues to provide direct support, training, and certification programs aimed at improving quality of life in rural areas.

This was in addition to increasing the agricultural sector’s contribution to the nation’s gross domestic product, in line with the goals of Vision 2030, he said.


Madinah governor receives Iraqi consul general

Updated 21 min 16 sec ago
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Madinah governor receives Iraqi consul general

Madinah Gov. Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz received at his office on Wednesday Mohammed Samir Al-Naqshbandi, consul general of Iraq and permanent representative to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, as his term in the Kingdom comes to an end.

During the meeting, they discussed various topics of common interest, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Meanwhile, Fareed bin Saad Al-Shehri, director-general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ branch in Makkah, received Consul General of Singapore Chandra Kumar in Jeddah on Wednesday.


Muharram begins on Thursday: Saudi Supreme Court

Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, will start on Thursday, Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court has announced.
Updated 43 min 42 sec ago
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Muharram begins on Thursday: Saudi Supreme Court

RIYADH: Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, will start on Thursday, Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court announced on Wednesday.

The announcement came after the crescent moon was sighted in the Kingdom on Wednesday evening.

The sighting of the crescent marks the start of the Islamic year 1447, a reference to the amount of years that have passed since Prophet Muhammad migrated from Makkah to Madinah.


Japan gifts Kendo equipment to Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee

Updated 25 June 2025
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Japan gifts Kendo equipment to Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee

  • Embassy says gift is part of 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations
  • Occasion also being marked with expansion of cultural relations

RIYADH: Japan has gifted the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee with Kendo equipment as part of celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.

Formal diplomatic ties were first established on June 7, 1955, laying the foundations for a long-standing partnership.

To mark the occasion, Japanese ambassador Yasunari Morino attended a handover ceremony on Wednesday at the Riyadh Olympic Training Center, where approximately 20 shinai (bamboo swords) and 10 complete sets of Kendo armor were officially donated to the SOPC. 

Morino expressed his hope the donation would help increase the popularity of Kendo in Saudi Arabia and provide more opportunities for young Saudi athletes to engage with Japanese martial arts.

“I was happy to join the Olympic Day event organized by the Olympic Committee with many people, young and senior, participating. I hope Saudi people will enjoy practicing various sports, including Japanese martial arts,” the ambassador told Arab News.

Kendo, which translates as “The Way of the Sword,” is a discipline rooted in samurai traditions and is practiced widely in Japan and around the world. The Kingdom’s growing interest in Japanese martial arts reflects the deepening of cultural ties between the two nations, said the embassy.

The donation was enabled by the generous support of the All Japan Kendo Federation. As well as promoting Kendo, it is hoped it will foster greater mutual understanding and cultural exchange through sports between Japan and Saudi Arabia.

The ceremony was one of several initiatives organized by the Embassy of Japan throughout 2025 to commemorate the 70th anniversary. The Saudi Arabia Pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka also marks the occasion.

It is hoped the expo will help the Kingdom reach its goal of attracting 30,000 Japanese visitors annually in the lead up to Expo 2030, which is due to take place in Riyadh.