He was waiting for researchers under Kamienie. It is thin as a spaghetti thread
For 20 years he was considered extinct. The smallest snake on the ground, a thread -shaped snake, appeared again in the natural environment.
The discovery took place in March, when during field work carried out by the Ministry of the Barbados Environment and the organization Re: Wild was found under the stone in the central part of the island.
This tiny reptile grows up to 10 centimeters long and is thick comparable to the spaghetti thread. Until now, it was on a global list of 4,800 species of plants, animals and fungi considered extinct. Although the fact that scientists have found a snake is undoubtedly good news, it is some “but”.
Connor Blades from the Ministry of the Environment pointed out that “if the population of these snakes is small, it may hinder reproduction, especially in the conditions of a decaying and threatened habitat.”
Blind luck or a flawless feeling?
Blades together with Justin Springer, a representative of the Caribbean program in Re: Wild, for over a year they tracked the thread snake and other endemic reptiles of the island as part of the Wild nature protection initiative.
During field research in March, Springer joked that “he has a feeling that this place could be the home of a thread snake,” and then raised a stone at the roots of the tree – and indeed, the tiny reptile was there. “After so many unsuccessful attempts, the sight of the animal sought is a real shock and great satisfaction,” said Springer.
The found specimen found at the University of Western India, where his identity was confirmed under the microscope. He was betrayed by orange stripes on the body and a characteristic scale on the nose.
This is an alarm signal
Since the colonization of the island, as much as 98 percent of the original forests have been destroyed by agricultural activities. Today, the loss of habitats and the expansion of foreign species remain the greatest threat to the existence of this species.
“This discovery is also an alarm signal for us, the inhabitants of Barbados – that our forests are unique and must be preserved as they are as they are,” said Springer. “Not only because of this tiny snake, but also for the sake of other endangered species, biodiversity and our natural heritage,” he added.
