A new species of venomous burrowing snake is at risk of being wiped out by mining before it can be declared a threatened species, a University of Queensland biologist claims.

Associate Professor Bryan Fry said the discovery of a new species of bandy-bandy snake near a bauxite mine at Weipa on the west coast of Cape York Peninsula prompted him to immediately seek “threatened species” protection for the animal.

Medication for high blood pressure is a modified snake toxin worth $10 billion a year, says Associate Professor Bryan Fry. Credit:Bryan Fry

He said the chance discovery occurred when his team was undertaking sea snake research.

“Bandy-bandy is a burrowing snake, so we were surprised to find it on a concrete block by the sea,” he said.