Kansas biologists find 'super rare' threatened species in the mouth of a hungry toad

TOPEKA (KSNT) - A group of biologists searching for a rarely-seen species in Kansas' outdoor spaces made a surprising discovery.

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) recently posted to social media that one of its survey crews searching for New Mexico threadsnakes managed to find one, in the mouth of a Woodhouse toad. The survey crew made the find while on a county road around 10 p.m. on June 4 near Meade in southwestern Kansas.

"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

KDWP Ecological Services Director Chris Berens said in a written response to 27 News the survey crew was "road-cruising" when they found the snake. This is a tactic used by KDWP crews looking for nocturnal reptiles and amphibians who are attracted to the heat of the road once night falls.

"KDWP Ecological Services Division's Biodiversity Survey and Assessment Program has one terrestrial and two aquatic survey crews that focus mainly on collecting data on Species of Greatest Conservation Need as designated within the Kansas State Wildlife Action Plan," Berens said.

New Mexico threadsnakes are usually found in the south central and southeastern counties in Kansas along the Oklahoma state line, according to the KDWP. The snakes appear pinkish-tan in coloration, have tiny black eyes and only grow to a length of about five to eight inches.

Threadsnakes are protected by the Kansas Nongame and Endangered Species Conservation Act. Berens said KDWP biologists have found 10 New Mexico threadsnakes so far in 2024 and a total of 18 in 2023.

"Due to the elusive and fossorial nature of this species, not much information/data is available for them," Berens said. "Through these surveys, KDWP is hoping to collect data on the NM Threadsnake’s habitat preferences and geographic distribution that will better inform conservation efforts."

To learn more about the New Mexico threadsnake, click here.

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