'Extinct' Caribbean racer snake discovered in St Lucia Scientists also collected DNA samples, but the results on whether the snakes are genetically diverse won't be known for several months. Diversity is important because it would allow for a more successful breeding programme, scientists say. There's currently a lot of inbreeding on the 30-acre islet where the snakes live, but scientists did not spot many deformities, which is encouraging, Mr Morton said. Brian Crother, a US-based expert on Caribbean snakes who was not involved in the project, said he was excited about the finding. "It provides us with another opportunity to preserve a piece of biodiversity that we thought we had lost forever," he said. As a result of the scientists' findings, Durrell called the St Lucia racer the world's rarest snake, but Mr Crother and other scientists disputed the claim. "I think saying 'rarest' is a good way to bring attention to a desperate situation, but whether it really is the rarest, I don't think you can say for sure," said Mr Crother, interim biology department director at Southeastern Louisiana University. Scientists are now trying to figure out the best way to save the snake, which is less than three feet (one meter) long and is known for being gentle and comfortable with human beings. Morton said moving some snakes to St Lucia's main island isn't an option because the mongoose, its biggest predator, lives there and will destroy the population. He said breeding the reptiles on other offshore islands is a possibility, but scientists have to determine whether there's an adequate food supply. Frank Burbrink, a biology professor at the College of Staten Island who was not involved in the project, said the snakes should be bred in another place to ensure their future. "You don't want to put your eggs in one very, very, very small basket," he said. Mr Morton said the trick is to ensure that people are aware of the snake's plight so they can help with their conservation. But he acknowledged that could be difficult, noting: "These aren't whales or fluffy little animals that people like."