The World's Smallest Snake Has Reappeared
- Feb 27
- 2 min read
It has been over two decades since the last sighting of the Barbados threadsnake. Perhaps this shouldn't be too surprising though, after all it is the smallest species of snake in the world, measuring only 3-4 inches long when fully grown.
These tiny snakes have only seldom been observed since their discovery in the late 19th century, so it was an incredible surprise when a research team was finally able to document one in 2025. The snake was studied and released safely, confirming that these tiny snakes are still persisting in the forests of Barbados.
These threadsnakes are up against a mountain of adversity. The native wildlife of Barbados has been decimated by deforestation and invasive species. Additionally, the threadsnakes lay only a single egg per clutch, making it even more difficult for their populations to recover. The Conserving Barbados' Endemic Reptiles project is continuing to survey, in hopes of learning more about these critically endangered snakes.
The Amazonian Manatee
(Trichechus inunguis)
As someone who grew up along the rivers and coastal swamps of Florida, manatees were always one of my favorite animals to encounter out on the water. These slow, gentle giants were always such a special sight, and I spent a lot of time trying to learn as much as I could about them. But it was only decades later that I learned they aren't the only species of manatee that we share the planet with.
Among the other sirenians is the Amazonian manatee - a smoother, smaller species of manatee that as the name suggests, inhabits the amazon River basin in South America.
Unlike their Florida cousins, these manatees venture thousands of miles inland, never entering saltwater. But they still share the same docile nature and diet of aquatic vegetation. They also share some of the primary concerns that face other species of manatees, boat strikes and illegal hunting have left the species vulnerable, but rescue and release programs have made tremendous strides to combat population decline.
Learn About the Conservation of Felines Big and Small
Take a few minutes to pause, and learn about Panthera, one of the most important feline conservation organizations in the world. Panthera's projects have helped to conserve 40 species of wild cats, and their commitment to public education has impacted thousands of lives.
Learn more about Panthere here:
