After Two Decades, Has the Elusive Barbados Threadsnake Been Found Again?

For almost two decades, the Barbados threadsnake, the world’s smallest-known snake, had not been seen. Many feared it might have gone extinct. But in a remarkable rediscovery, scientists in Barbados have confirmed its survival, bringing hope for the conservation of the island’s fragile biodiversity.

A Rare and Elusive Species

Description and Size

The Barbados threadsnake (Tetracheilostoma carlae) is so tiny that it can fit comfortably on a coin. Fully grown, it measures only four inches (10 centimeters) long, making it the smallest snake in the world.

It is characterized by,

• Pale yellow dorsal lines running along its slender body
• Eyes located on the sides of its head
• Blindness, relying on touch and smell rather than vision

Lifestyle and Habitat

The species is burrowing and lives underground, feeding mainly on termites and ants. Unlike many snakes, it lays just one slender egg at a time.

Because of its small size and secretive behavior, it is extremely difficult to spot, often blending into soil and leaf litter.

The Rediscovery

The Search Efforts

After years of fruitless searching, Connor Blades, a project officer with the Ministry of Environment in Barbados, finally spotted the snake while lifting a rock in a small forest.

He carefully placed it in a glass jar with soil and leaf litter before confirming the species under a microscope at the University of the West Indies.

Blades was assisted by Justin Springer, the Caribbean program officer for the conservation group Re:wild, which later announced the rediscovery.

The Moment of Confirmation

The snake was difficult to identify as it closely resembles the Brahminy blind snake (commonly called the flower pot snake). However, the distinctive pale yellow lines confirmed it as the rare Barbados threadsnake.

Historical Background

First Identification

The species was first scientifically described in 2008 by S. Blair Hedges, a professor at Temple University. It was named Tetracheilostoma carlae, in honor of his wife.

Before his discovery, the snake had been mistakenly lumped in with other species. At the time, only three known specimens existed,

• Two in a London museum
• One in California, wrongly believed to be from Antigua

Years of Uncertainty

Since its identification, the snake had been almost impossible to locate. Hedges recalled searching through hundreds of rocks in 2006 without success. For years afterward, he was inundated with emails and photos from people who thought they found the snake, though most turned out to be earthworms or other tiny reptiles.

Significance of the Rediscovery

Conservation Importance

The rediscovery highlights the ecological importance of this tiny species. As Justin Springer of Re:wild explained, the Barbados threadsnake plays a vital role in controlling insect populations, especially termites and ants.

Threats to Survival

Barbados has lost much of its original forest cover, leaving limited habitats for endemic species. The island has already seen the extinction of,

• The Barbados racer
• The Barbados skink
• A unique species of cave shrimp

Without urgent conservation, the threadsnake could face a similar fate.

A Symbol of Hope

The rediscovery is expected to boost interest in wildlife habitat protection in Barbados. As Hedges noted, “Barbados is kind of unique in the Caribbean for a bad reason: it has the least amount of original forest, outside of Haiti.”