In a surprising turn of events, a team of biologists from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) made a rare discovery while on a night survey.
They stumbled upon a New Mexico threadsnake, a species rarely seen in Kansas, caught in the mouth of a hungry Woodhouse’s toad. This unique find occurred around 10 p.m. on June 4 near Meade in southwestern Kansas.
The KDWP shared this exciting discovery on social media, highlighting the rarity of the New Mexico threadsnake, especially in such an unusual situation.
The threadsnake, often mistaken for a worm due to its size and appearance, measures only about 5-8 inches in length.
It is a nocturnal creature, primarily found in the southernmost counties of Kansas, close to the Oklahoma border.
Chris Berens, the KDWP Ecological Services Director, explained that the survey crew was “road-cruising,” a method where they search for nocturnal reptiles and amphibians attracted to the warmth of the road at night.
This method led them to find the threadsnake in the grasp of the toad.
The New Mexico threadsnake is considered a threatened species in Kansas, protected under the Kansas Nongame and Endangered Species Conservation Act.
According to the source, these snakes have a pinkish-tan coloration and tiny black eyes, making them easy to miss in the wild.
The KDWP’s Terrestrial Crew was thrilled with the discovery, as the snake is quite elusive and little is known about its habits and distribution.
Berens mentioned that KDWP biologists have documented 10 New Mexico threadsnakes so far in 2024, compared to a total of 18 in 2023.
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The ongoing surveys aim to gather more data on the habitat preferences and geographic distribution of the thread snake, which will aid in conservation efforts.
To learn more about the New Mexico threadsnake, you can visit the KDWP’s website.