Expert explores China for unknown reptiles

'Doctor Snake' from the US has discovered some 10 new species inside Hubei World Natural Heritage Site

"Not venomous, it's Elaphe carinata," Kevin Messenger said to his companions with a smile, as a colorful king ratsnake sank its teeth into his left forearm.

The 42-year-old herpetologist from the United States, who is also a professor at the College of Life Sciences of Nanjing Forestry University, was conducting a field survey in the Shennongjia National Park in Hubei province.

"He's not attacking, he's defending. I attacked him," he said calmly, clutching in his left hand the snake, which was almost as long as the height of a grown man, while one of his companions wiped away the fresh blood trickling from the wound.