A team of biologists recently stumbled upon an unexpected finding while searching for a seldom-seen species within the natural landscapes of Kansas. The discovery was made in Topeka, and has since piqued the interest of researchers.
In southwestern Kansas, a survey crew from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) made a fascinating discovery. The crew was searching for New Mexico threadsnakes when they stumbled upon one in an unexpected place – the mouth of a Woodhouse toad! This discovery was made on June 4th around 10 p.m. while the crew was on a county road near Meade. KDWP shared this exciting news on their social media page.
Check out this super rare find by our Terrestrial Crew! A New Mexico Threadsnake… found in the mouth of a Woodhouse’s Toad! That’s right – that’s a snake, not a worm! The New Mexico Threadsnake is listed as a threatened species in the state of Kansas. These tiny snakes typically only grow to 5-8 inches long, and are primarily restricted to the southernmost counties along the Kansas/Oklahoma border. These snakes are nocturnal and easy to miss with their worm-like appearance, so imagine the surprise when our survey crew captured a Woodhouse’s Toad trying to snack on the very species our crew was searching for! What a toad-ally awesome find!” KDWP social media post excerpt
According to a written response by Chris Berens, the Ecological Services Director at KDWP, the survey crew discovered the snake while “road-cruising.” This method involves searching for nocturnal reptiles and amphibians that are drawn to the warmth of the road after dark and is commonly employed by KDWP crews.
According to Berens, the Biodiversity Survey and Assessment Program of the KDWP Ecological Services Division runs three survey crews, one for terrestrial and two for aquatic areas. Their primary objective is to gather information on Species of Greatest Conservation Need, as identified in the Kansas State Wildlife Action Plan.
According to the KDWP, New Mexico threadsnakes inhabit the counties located in the south-central and southeastern regions of Kansas, running along the Oklahoma state line. These snakes have a pinkish-tan coloration, tiny black eyes, and typically only grow to a length of five to eight inches.
According to the Kansas Nongame and Endangered Species Conservation Act, threadsnakes are under protection. KDWP biologists have already discovered 10 New Mexico threadsnakes in 2024 and a total of 18 in 2023, as stated by Berens.
Berens stated that because the NM Threadsnake has an elusive and fossorial nature, there is limited information and data available about them. The surveys conducted by KDWP aim to gather data on the species’ habitat preferences and geographic distribution. This information will be crucial in informing conservation efforts for the species.