Tetracheilostoma carlae (Leptotyphlops carlae)

Autor:

Nicolas Perrault III

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https://czwiki.cz/b/b16d5

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Wikimedia Commons

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5111 x 2530 Pixel (6759076 Bytes)

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This is an individual of the smallest snake species in the world, the Barbados threadsnake (Tetracheilostoma carlae, or, prior to 2009, Leptotyphlops carlae). It was found, along with two other individuals, in the backyard of St-Nicholas Abbey, in Barbados.

Identification of Tetracheilostoma carlae is difficult, especially since a recently introduced invasive species was introduced on the island of Barbados, is very similar looking to T. carlae, and seems to be much more common. The above specimen was identified (with the aid of supplemental pictures) by the biologist who initially described the species (Blair Hedges, through personal communication).

Here are the snake's specifications:

• Total length: 99 mm
• Head width: 4.5 mm
• Midbody width: 4.0 mm

The snake was caught in the backyard of St-Nicholas Abbey, St-Peter's, Barbados at 12:50 EDT on 16 May 2013 and released at 15:00 EDT on 20 May 2013 at the exact location of capture. We could not feed the snake during the holding times because it has a narrow diet (ant larvae and termites). It looked just fine at the time of release. The snake escaped its box into the laboratory somewhere between 15:00 and 20:00 EDT, 16 May 2013. It was found in the same laboratory between 14:00 and 17:00 EDT, 17 May 2013.

On 19 May 2013, we found two extra snakes at the same location. I thank Larry Warren, owner of the St-Nicholas Abbey (a heritage house and rum distillery), for letting us freely sample on the house's property, and Dr. Blair Hedges of Pennsylvania State University for identifying the snake.

The coordinates below point to the location at which I found the snake, not that of the laboratory in which I took the picture.

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CC0

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