About the World's Smallest Snake

The smallest snake in the world could fit snugly on the surface of a quarter. What few specimens scientists possess, however, may prove to be the last specimens that humans ever see. Small as they are, these evolutionary record holders are exceedingly vulnerable to the habitat destruction and deforestation on their one and only native island.

Size

The world's smallest snake, Leptotyphlops carlae, is thought to measure only four inches in length on average and is as thin as a thread of angel hair pasta. Although over three thousand species of snakes are known to exist, determining the smallest one of them all requires the measurement of multiple adult specimens, both male and female. Because this species is very rare, just finding additional specimens required turning over hundreds of other stones.

Geography

Caribbean islands are also known for harboring the smallest known frog and lizard species. Leptotyphlops carlae is thought to exist solely on the Caribbean island of Barbados, in forested areas. The specimens discovered in 2008 were found on the east-central portion of the island, in a mere remnant of what used to be a secondary forest--there are no original forests left on Barbados. Unfortunately for the snake and for Barbados, the island is now 95 percent treeless.

Theories/Speculation

Only officially discovered in 2008 (although previous specimens had been misidentified), very little is known about the habits of this snake. Its diet must consist of creatures smaller than itself, such as termite larvae. Scientists also guess that this snake has evolved to reach the smallest size possible--if it were any smaller, its young would have nothing to eat.

Significance

Other snakes can lay up to a hundred eggs at a time. Leptotyphlops carlae, on the other hand, appears to only lay one egg at a time, such that the baby being born is already half the size of an adult. If even two of these snakes were born at one time, each would be half of even that size--one inch long--and incapable of eating even ant larvae. This suggests an evolutionary threshold. The isolation of islands allows otherwise unconventional species to evolve to fill ecological niches. In this instance, the snake probably evolved to a size usually reserved for insects.

Considerations

In Barbados, the forest has been logged to provide room for buildings and farms. Already rare, the snake may not be able to survive the treeless conditions that it may face in the near future. Due to the destruction of its habitat, this snake may soon become completely extinct.

Resources

• World's smallest snake found in Barbados