World's Smallest Snake Makes a Big Comeback
The Barbados threadsnake (Tetracheilostoma carlae), the world's tiniest snake species, has been rediscovered in central Barbados.
Measuring a mere three to four inches long (eight to 10 centimeters) when fully grown, this elusive serpent was found by a team from the Barbados Ministry of the Environment and National Beautification and conservation group Re:wild.
A Rare and Cryptic Find
The snake, which is distinguished by its orange stripes, side-facing eyes, and a small snout scale, is a blind snake and incredibly cryptic. Project officer Connor Blades noted that there have been only a handful of confirmed sightings since 1889, making this rediscovery even more significant.
Justin Springer of Re:wild, who made the initial find with Blades, described the shock and disbelief of finally locating the snake after more than a year of searching under rocks and tree roots.
Careful Validation and Vulnerable Future
Found alongside an earthworm, the tiny snake was taken to the University of West Indies for careful examination under a microscope.
This was crucial for validation, as it closely resembles the invasive Brahminy blind snake. After confirmation, the Barbados threadsnake was safely returned to its forest habitat.
Despite this exciting comeback, the Barbados threadsnake faces significant challenges. Only two percent of the Caribbean island's primary forest remains intact, largely due to agriculture since the colonial era.
Furthermore, the species is particularly vulnerable because it reproduces sexually, with females laying only a single egg per clutch. This contrasts sharply with the Brahminy blind snake, which can produce fertile eggs without mating.
A Call for Conservation
The rediscovery of the Barbados threadsnake serves as a powerful reminder of the urgent need for forest protection in Barbados.
As Springer emphasized, these forests are not just vital for the threadsnake, but for all the diverse plant and animal species that call them home, and for the island's natural heritage.