A group of scientists who grew up reading Harry Potter just discovered a new species of snake.
Naturally, they had a name ready to go. Working in northeastern India, the team of five chose “Salazar Slytherin,” borrowing from the co-founder of the Slytherin house at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Speaking to The Indian Express, Zeeshan A. Mirza admitted, “All of us are obviously very big fans,” of the J.K. Rowling fictional series, adding, “Now what better way to honor and thank her than naming the species after one of her characters?”
Covering all of their bases, Mirza said they’re reserving the name of Voldemort’s snake “for when, and if, we discover a new cobra species since Nagini was a cobra.”
Upon discovering a new species of green pit vipers, these researchers decided to name the snake after the one, the only Salazar Slytherin — a name that Harry Potter fans will recognize https://t.co/e83oFWjqtv
— CNN (@CNN) April 22, 2020
Since we’re probably not scientists, have you named a pet after a fictional character? Which?
