A novel Akkermansia species has been isolated from fresh faeces obtained from the reticulated python. The species has been named Akkermansia glycaniphilus. It is capable of growing on mucus as a sole carbon and nitrogen source. The species can be used as a medicament, probiotic or cosmetic, e.g., for promoting weight loss, for promoting gut mucosal immune system function, for maintaining, restoring and/or increasing the physical integrity of the gut mucosal barrier, and for prevention or treatment of a variety of associated diseases or disorders.