Barbados threadsnake makes surprise comeback after two decades missing

The world’s smallest snake has wriggled back into the spotlight after nearly twenty years off the scientific radar. The Barbados threadsnake, no bigger than a paperclip and weighing just 0.6 grams, was rediscovered earlier this year during a targeted ecological survey in Barbados.

Scientists found the tiny reptile hiding under a rock in a patch of secondary forest, confirming its identity with detailed microscopic analysis and unique scale patterns. This marks the first confirmed sighting since the early 2000s, putting an end to fears the species had slipped into extinction.

First described in 2008 by herpetologist S. Blair Hedges and named in honor of his wife, the Barbados threadsnake (Tetracheilostoma carlae) is a biological marvel. Adults measure only 7.5 to 10 centimeters long and feed almost exclusively on ant and termite larvae. Females lay just one egg per clutch, an unusual trait but common in extremely small vertebrates.

Barbados has lost over 98% of its original forest cover, leaving this rare snake with only a few square kilometers of suitable habitat. Its rediscovery is being hailed as a conservation milestone and is already inspiring calls to protect the island’s last forest fragments.

Researchers say this finding highlights how even the smallest creatures can offer big insights into biodiversity and ecosystem health. The Barbados threadsnake is now expected to become a flagship species for local conservation programs, proving that sometimes nature’s tiniest survivors can deliver the biggest surprises.