The Barbados threadsnake–the smallest known snake in the world
The smallest known snake in the world is the Barbados Threadsnake (Leptotyphlops carlae), a species of blind threadsnake so small they were only discovered in 2008 (despite living on a heavily populated, highly studied island). The adult snakes measure only 10 cm, (4 inches) long. Herpetologists believe these tiny snakes are at threshold of viable size for snakes: if they were any smaller they would not be able to hunt or reproduce.
Female Barbados threadsnakes lay a single egg which is huge relative to the size of the mother. The newly hatched snakes are already half as large as adults. Like caecilians or other blind snakes, Barbados threadsnakes are fossorial–they live and hunt underground (which is one of the reasons it took so long to find them). The little threadsnakes live on the larvae of ants and termites.
The island of Barbados is mostly covered with cities, houses, farms, and roads
Not only are Barbados threadsnakes miniscule. Their remaining forest territory is tiny. Barbados is heavily developed and no original old growth forests exist. The threadsnakes live in secondary forests which regrew from the vestiges of long-vanished woods. Their entire habitat is thought to be no more than a square kilometer or two.
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February 27, 2012 at 7:59 PM
Mike
Awwwwwwww…..
February 28, 2012 at 10:10 AM
Wayne
Blindsnakes are awfully endearing.
February 27, 2012 at 11:26 PM
Diana
This post has blown my mind
February 28, 2012 at 10:12 AM
Wayne
I’d wager that there are more of these strange fossorial creatures out there to be discovered…
February 29, 2012 at 12:13 AM
lifeofalabrat
Not to be pedantic, but I’m from Barbados and on a small matter of information while it is true nearly all of our old growth is gone we do have one lone 50 acre stand of original forest that remains untouched by development.
February 29, 2012 at 11:07 AM
Wayne
That’s delightful news! Thank you for telling us about the last little vestige of original forest.
March 12, 2012 at 6:33 PM
KevinSeo
Wow thats crazy!!
March 20, 2013 at 2:27 PM
john
i think I might have one of these snakes, I mean, it looks a lot like the one in the picture, but what I fail to understand is why I found it in my house ( in south Africa)
March 21, 2013 at 11:30 PM
Wayne
It might be a juvenile snake (I tried to look up relevant species but you all have a lot of snakes down there). Or I guess it could be a Barbados threadsnake on safari holiday (?). Thanks for commenting and keep me informed if you learn more.