🐍 World’s Smallest Snake Rediscovered in Barbados After 20 Years
Barbados – In a remarkable conservation breakthrough, the world’s smallest snake — the Barbados threadsnake (Tetracheilostoma carlae) — has been rediscovered nearly two decades after scientists feared it had vanished forever.
Discovered during an ecological survey in March 2025, the elusive creature was found hidden beneath a rock in central Barbados by a joint team from the Barbados Ministry of the Environment and the conservation group Re:wild.
🔍 A Snake So Small, It Could Be Mistaken for a Worm
The Barbados threadsnake, which grows to only 3 to 4 inches long (8 to 10 centimeters) when fully mature, is so tiny it can nearly fit on a U.S. quarter coin. It is distinguished by orange dorsal stripes, side-facing eyes, and a tiny snout scale. Due to its size and burrowing nature, it is often mistaken for an earthworm.
“This species is incredibly cryptic. They’re blind snakes, and very few people have ever seen one,” said Connor Blades, project officer with the Barbados Ministry of the Environment.
🔬 Rediscovery After a Long Search
The rediscovery came after more than a year of meticulous fieldwork. Justin Springer of Re:wild and Blades finally located the snake while lifting rocks tangled beneath tree roots.
“I was stunned,” said Springer. “You search for so long, you start to think it’s impossible. Then, suddenly, there it is.”
The snake was initially confused with the Brahminy blind snake, an invasive species. It was taken to the University of the West Indies for microscopic analysis to confirm its identity before being safely released back into the wild.
🌴 A Symbol of Fragile Biodiversity
The rediscovery highlights the vulnerability of Barbados’s native wildlife. Only 2% of the island’s original forests remain due to centuries of agricultural development.
The threadsnake is especially at risk because it reproduces sexually, and females lay just one egg per clutch — unlike the Brahminy blind snake, which can reproduce asexually and multiply quickly.
“This is a wake-up call,” Springer said. “Forests in Barbados aren’t just scenic—they are vital sanctuaries for rare species. Protecting them is protecting our natural heritage.”
🌍 Global Conservation Significance
First described in 2008, the Barbados threadsnake is listed among the rarest and most elusive reptiles on Earth. The discovery will likely prompt renewed global interest in Caribbean biodiversity and the urgent need for habitat protection.