For the first time in 20 years, the smallest snake in the world was found in Barbados: it was considered missing
28 July 2025 21:25
The Barbados threadfin snake, the world’s smallest snake that was thought to be extinct, has been rediscovered in Barbados. It was last recorded more than 20 years ago. The reptile was found under a rock in the central part of the island during an environmental survey in March this year.
This was reported by The Guardian, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
The study was conducted by the Ministry of Environment of Barbados together with the environmental organization Re:wild. After the discovery, the snake was transferred to the University of the West Indies, where experts confirmed its species under a microscope: the characteristic pale orange stripes and nasal scales showed that it was Tetracheilostoma carlae.
This thread-like snake is only 10 centimeters long, and its body is as thin as spaghetti. The species was first described in 1889, but since then only a few confirmed cases have been observed.
The reptile’s peculiarity is its slow reproduction: females lay only one egg at a time, and unlike some snakes, they are not capable of parthenogenesis (reproduction without fertilization). This makes its conservation extremely vulnerable.
“If the population is really small, I’m concerned about whether these snakes will be able to find each other to breed, especially if their habitat is disappearing,” said Connor Blades of the ministry.
Blades, along with Justin Springer of Re:wild, had been searching for the threadsnake for over a year as part of a conservation project. Their chances were slim, given that 98% of Barbados’ forests were destroyed by colonial deforestation for agriculture.
Currently, experts are considering programs to preserve this rare species, as its continued survival directly depends on the preservation of the natural environment.
