Barbados threadsnake
Why it Matters?
The world’s smallest known snake, the Barbados threadsnake (Tetracheilostoma carlae), has been rediscovered in Barbados after nearly 20 years, highlighting the importance of species conservation.
What You Should Know?
The Barbados threadsnake (Tetracheilostoma carlae) is the smallest known snake species in the world.
The species is endemic to Barbados and was last formally documented in 2008, and was rediscovered in 2024.
It was previously listed as “lost to science” by Re:wild among 4,800 missing plant, animal, and fungi species.
The fully grown adults measure up to 10 cm in length and are blind and burrowing in nature.
The snake feeds on termites and ants and lays a single slender egg.
It has pale yellow dorsal stripes and side-placed eyes, differentiating it from the flower pot snake.
It remains particularly vulnerable since it reproduces sexually, and females lay a clutch of only one egg.
It is known for cryptic and elusive behaviour.