Chapter 1: Introduction to the World of Snakes

To date, around 3,100 snake species have been identified across various continents, with the exception of Antarctica. This extensive variety includes everything from the impressive 8-meter-long green anaconda to our focus here: the world’s tiniest snake.

The smallest snake currently recognized is Leptotyphlops carlae, discovered in 2008 on the Caribbean island of Barbados. In some references, it’s also referred to as Tetracheilostoma carlae. Interestingly, this species lacks a Polish name.

The Size of the Smallest Snake

This remarkable creature measures approximately 10 cm, roughly the length of an average earthworm, and is as thin as spaghetti. As described by its discoverer, American herpetologist Prof. Stephen Blair Hedges from Pennsylvania State University, it weighs around 0.6 grams. In addition to Barbados, it has also been confirmed to exist on Anguilla.

Remarkably, this tiny snake had been documented in scientific literature twice before, in 1889 and 1963, but was misidentified. Specimens were located in the Natural History Museum in London and in Martinique, but the species went unobserved in the wild for decades until its rediscovery in 2008.

Discovery on Barbados

The first two individuals were located in a forest under rocks in northeastern Barbados. Prof. Hedges recounts that after discovering the first snake, he had to flip over hundreds of stones to find the next. Both specimens were female.

Leptotyphlops carlae is likely endemic and possibly endangered, as only about 10% of Barbados is forested, amidst a backdrop of dense human population—making it one of the most densely populated countries in the world. Additionally, other snake species could pose competition for this tiny inhabitant.

Lifestyle of the Smallest Snake

What can we glean about such a rarely observed creature? Surprisingly, quite a bit. Like many small snakes in its region, it primarily consumes termites, ants, and their larvae. Its body is dark brown with two lighter stripes running along its back.

Evolution has led to a unique reproductive adaptation: this snake lays only one egg and possesses a single oviduct. This is highly unusual among snakes, where clutches can average seven eggs and some species produce up to 100. The size of the eggs is proportional to the snake's body size. Notably, the offspring of the smallest snakes are larger relative to the adults than in larger species, being approximately half the length of their parents.

If younger snakes were any smaller, they might struggle to find adequately sized prey. Conversely, if they laid more eggs, it would be challenging to accommodate them. It appears that evolution has reached a limit in this case, making it unlikely for even smaller snake species to exist.

Chapter 2: The Evolution of Miniaturization

How did such a diminutive reptile come to be?

It's no coincidence that this species evolved on an island. Prof. Hedges explains: “Islands serve as natural evolutionary laboratories for land organisms. Their geographical boundaries restrict expansion and encourage various adaptations. They host both the smallest and largest species, not just snakes.”

For instance:

• The tiniest frogs are found in Papua New Guinea.
• The smallest chameleons reside in Madagascar.
• The diminutive Havana hummingbirds inhabit Cuba.

Other Very Small Snakes

The world’s smallest snake is part of a larger family known as thread snakes, which typically range from 10 to 40 cm in length. Approximately 100 species of thread snakes have been documented, and more similar species are expected to be discovered in the Caribbean.

Two slightly larger species of mini-snakes have been found on neighboring islands: Martinique and Saint Lucia. Thread snakes are also present across the Americas, Africa, and the Arabian Peninsula. Research and classification of these snakes remain challenging, as many species have only been identified from a few specimens. The size of many thread snakes is often uncertain, with some identified as young individuals or only males or females.

Distinguishing between species is complicated, usually relying on the size, quantity, and shape of scales on their heads. However, DNA analysis is the only definitive method for identification. It is confirmed that the smallest known snakes belong to the subfamily Leptotyphlops, with six species measuring less than 105 mm in length.

In biology, certainty is elusive, and new species continue to be discovered. Could there be a snake even smaller than Leptotyphlops? Might there be a more extensive family of relatives hidden in the forests of the Caribbean islands? Only time will reveal the answers.

Additional Resources

Explore the hidden weapon of the world's smallest snake in this enlightening video.

Learn about the successful discovery of the world's smallest snake after an exhaustive search.

Conclusion

Japanese archaeologists are currently searching for the tomb of Pharaoh Cheops—not within his pyramid, as the mummy remains elusive.

Dear readers,

I want to highlight a challenge faced by content creators like myself on platforms such as Medium.com. The compensation we receive often falls short despite our dedication to producing valuable content. If you appreciate my articles, please consider supporting me on my "Buy Me a Coffee" page. Your contributions, regardless of size, can inspire me to continue sharing engaging and thought-provoking material. Thank you for being part of this journey!