Space and Science

From ‘Dracula’ fish to snub-nosed monkeys: New species found in Himalayas

Jethro Mullen
By Jethro Mullen, CNN
Updated 12:46 PM EDT, Wed October 7, 2015
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Over 200 new species discovered in Himalayas
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Story highlights

Report from conservation group WWF highlights new species found in the eastern Himalayas

One of them, the Burmese snub-nosed monkey, fights to keep water out of its upturned nose on rainy days

Another is dubbed the "Dracula" fish because of its unusual fangs at the front of each jaw

CNN  — 

Most people hate rainy weather. It can put a damper on plans and keep you cooped up indoors.

But spare a thought for the Burmese snub-nosed monkey.

The furry fellow often spends rainy days with its head down between its knees because otherwise the water runs into its upturned nose and makes it sneeze.

Hunters in Myanmar’s remote and rugged Kachin state, where the monkeys live, say it’s easy to track them down during a downpour thanks to their bouts of sneezing.

Scientists have nicknamed the nasally negligible mammals “Snubby.”

They are just one of a range of new species discovered in the eastern Himalayas in recent years, according to a report published this week from the conservation group WWF that highlights the region’s spectacular biodiversity.

More than 200 new species

Other curious creatures described in the report include a “Dracula” fish and a species of frog with eyebrows that look like horns.

A new species of frog -- Leptobrachium bompu -- was one of the hundreds of new species of animals and plants discovered in the Eastern Himalayas, according to the World Wildlife Fund. This frog has greyish-blue eyes, with a vertically oriented black pupil, WWF says.
A new species of frog -- Leptobrachium bompu -- was one of the hundreds of new species of animals and plants discovered in the Eastern Himalayas, according to the World Wildlife Fund. This frog has greyish-blue eyes, with a vertically oriented black pupil, WWF says.
Courtesy World Wildlife Fund
Another discovery, the vibrant blue dwarf "walking" snakehead fish, or Channa andrao, can breathe air and survive on land for up to four days, the World Wildlife Fund said in its report.
Another discovery, the vibrant blue dwarf "walking" snakehead fish, or Channa andrao, can breathe air and survive on land for up to four days, the World Wildlife Fund said in its report.
Courtesy World Wildlife Fund
The fish is the 10th snakehead species found in the Eastern Himalayas. That's a third of all snakehead species in the world, WWF says.
The fish is the 10th snakehead species found in the Eastern Himalayas. That's a third of all snakehead species in the world, WWF says.
Courtesy World Wildlife Fund
A new species of wild banana -- Musa markkui -- was named renowned banana scientist Markku Hakkinen.
A new species of wild banana -- Musa markkui -- was named renowned banana scientist Markku Hakkinen.
Courtesy World Wildlife Fund