A striking new pitviper with a vivid grass-green body and amber-like eyes has been discovered in the misty mountains of western Sichuan, China. Blending seamlessly into its lush surroundings, this snake had gone unnoticed for years, hiding in one of the world's richest biodiversity regions. Researchers from the Chengdu Institute of Biology and the Giant Panda National Park made the discovery while studying wildlife in the West China Rain Zone. What they initially believed to be a common species turned out to be something entirely new. In recognition of the region's cultural heritage and conservation mission, the team named the species Trimeresurus lii -- the Huaxi Green Pitviper. "The specific name lii honors Li Er, the ancient Chinese philosopher better known as Laozi," said the research team, led by Bo Cai.…