Malta’s tiniest snake has been hiding in plain sight

It is one of Malta’s smallest snakes, more akin to a worm, but the Brahminy blind snake has been quietly making its presence felt, often without anyone noticing.

Known in Maltese as the Serp Ħanex, the tiny reptile spends much of its life hidden beneath soil, stones and decaying vegetation. Its elusive nature has allowed it to go largely unseen and unknown, even as its distribution across Malta, Gozo and Comino has expanded.

Now, a new scientific study has documented 65 individuals across 34 locations, offering the clearest indication yet of how widespread the non-native species has become in the Maltese archipelago.

The research, conducted by Arnold Sciberras, Alan Deidun, Mario Lo Valvo and Francesco Paolo Faraone, brings together almost a decade of observations, field investigations and contributions from members of the public.

It was presented at the 16th National Congress of the Societas Herpetologica Italica, held in L’Aquila, Italy, between 15 and 18 September 2026.

A snake small enough to escape notice

The Brahminy blind snake (Indotyphlops braminus) is native to the Indo-Malayan region and is adapted to a largely underground existence. Its small size, secretive behaviour and preference for concealed microhabitats make it easy to overlook.

Unlike many reptiles, the female-only species reproduces through parthenogenesis, a process in which females produce offspring without fertilisation by males. This means a single individual can potentially establish a new population after being accidentally transported to an unfamiliar location.

The species has spread internationally, largely through the movement of ornamental plants, nursery stock and soil.

Although its first official report in Malta came in 2020, the latest investigation incorporates observations dating back to 2017, suggesting that the snake had been present for several years before its arrival was formally documented.

Between 2017 and 2026, researchers compiled 47 records involving 65 individuals from 34 locations: 31 in Malta, two in Gozo and one in Comino.

The findings suggest the tiny reptile is considerably more widespread than previously recognised.

From plant nurseries to natural habitats

Most sightings came from environments closely associated with human activity, including plant nurseries, garden centres, greenhouses, agricultural land, public gardens, private properties and urban areas.

This pattern supports the theory that the snake has been transported between locations through human activity, particularly the movement of plants and soil.

Rather than spreading solely through natural movement, the species may have reached different parts of the islands through multiple accidental introductions.

However, the researchers also recorded specimens in less disturbed environments, including eucalyptus plantations and garigue habitats. Some were found in relatively moist microhabitats within otherwise dry landscapes.

These observations raise questions about whether the Brahminy blind snake is beginning to establish itself beyond places directly associated with human activity.

The distinction is important according to the researchers as finding an introduced species at a location does not, by itself, establish that it has formed a stable, reproducing population there. Further research will be needed to determine whether the Maltese records represent isolated introductions, established populations or a combination of both.

What does its presence mean for Malta’s biodiversity?

The ecological consequences of the snake’s presence in Malta remain insufficiently understood.

While the study provides important information about its distribution and habitat preferences, further investigation is needed to establish how successfully it is reproducing, how it moves between habitats and whether it has any measurable effects on native biodiversity.

The findings also highlight a broader challenge for island ecosystems, where the international movement of plants, soil and other materials can unintentionally introduce species that might otherwise never reach them.

Three more research projects under way

For naturalist and researcher Arnold Sciberras, the latest study is part of a wider effort to understand the species and its spread.

The research team has confirmed three additional projects involving the Brahminy blind snake are under way. Further observations and specimens are expected to help clarify its biology, distribution and establishment across the Maltese islands.

Members of the public are being encouraged to report sightings, ideally providing photographs and precise location details.

Reports can be submitted by calling 99887950 or 99113445, or by contacting the researchers through private messages.