After a decade of absence and being listed as endangered, the Barbados thread snake ( scientific name: Tetracheilostoma carlae ), the world's smallest snake with a length of only about 9-10 cm, has been unexpectedly rediscovered in the center of Barbados island.
Not only is it easy to confuse it with a worm in appearance, the Barbados thread snake's lifestyle is also somewhat similar to that of an earthworm (Photo: Getty).
This discovery is considered an important turning point in conservation work, especially since this snake species was once on the list of 4,800 globally extinct species compiled by the international conservation organization Re:wild.
Environmental experts have been searching for years as part of the Barbados Endemic Reptile Conservation (CBER) program. The tiny snake was finally discovered by accident under a rock, where insects or earthworms would normally be found.
Contrary to popular belief, the Barbados thread snake has a threadlike body, smooth scales, and a head that is difficult to distinguish without a special magnifying glass. This makes it often mistaken for an earthworm or the blind Brahminy snake, an invasive species recently introduced to Barbados.
Actual size of a Barbados thread snake (Photo: Iflscience).
“They’re so small they fit in the palm of your hand, and if you’re not looking closely you might mistake them for a root or an earthworm,” explains Connor Blades, a technical specialist with the Barbados Ministry of the Environment. “The fact that they’ve been missing for 20 years isn’t necessarily because they’ve disappeared, it’s probably just because… they’re so hard to find.”
Not only do they look like worms, Barbados thread snakes also live a similar lifestyle. They live underground, hiding in termite nests and have the ability to secrete chemicals that trick termites, causing them to not attack them.
These snakes mainly feed on ants and termites, playing an important role in balancing underground ecosystems. In addition, they also contribute to loosening soil and decomposing organic matter, similar to earthworms.
The Barbados thread snake belongs to a primitive group of snakes called Scolecophidia, which are thought to have existed since the Cretaceous period or even earlier, when they lived on the ancient supercontinent Gondwana. Their ancestors may have migrated to Barbados from other parts of the Americas over millions of years of geological drift.
“Despite looking like an earthworm, the Barbados thread snake is actually part of a long, unique and incredibly fragile evolutionary story,” said Justin Springer, Re:wild’s program manager.
They remind us that the smallest things can be the most precious, as long as we are patient enough to find them, and wise enough to protect them."
Source: https://dantri.com.vn/khoa-hoc/loai-ran-ti-hon-nhin-nhu-giun-dat-xuat-hien-tro-lai-sau-20-nam-mat-tich-20250724063540227.htm
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