Barbados threadsnake

July 31, 2025

Recently, world’s smallest known snake Barbados threadsnake was rediscovered after vanishing for decades.

About Barbados threadsnake:

  • It is a tiny snake belonging to the family Leptotyphlopidae.
  • The snake is blind, burrows in the ground, eats termites and ants and lays one single, slender egg. 
  • Features of Barbados threadsnake
    • It reaches a maximum adult length of only 10.4 cm (4.1 inches) and an average weight of 0.6 g (0.02 ounce), it is thought to be the world’s smallest known snake.
    • They are solitary fossorial creatures adapted to burrowing.
    • They are nocturnal and during the day usually hide under rocks.
    • Due to their diet preferences, they are often found near ant and termite nests.
    • The pheromones these snakes produce protect them from attack by termites.
    • Habitat: Its habitat is most likely limited to the forests of eastern Barbados. They inhabit tropical dry forests.
    • Distribution: Barbados threadsnakes are found on the Caribbean island of Barbados.
    • Diet: Barbados threadsnakes are carnivores and their diets consist mostly of termite or ant larvae.
    • Reproduction: They are oviparous meaning they lay eggs to reproduce.
    • Conservation Status: Critically Endangered (IUCN Red List)
    • Threats: Habitat loss is the main threat to the Barbados threadsnake.

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