A snake that scientists had declared extinct long ago has been found living in a nature reserve on a tiny isle just off the east Caribbean island of St Lucia, conservationists said.

At least 11 St Lucia racers were spotted and tagged by a group of international scientists hunting for the snake in the Maria Islands reserve, which is part of St Lucia and located about one kilometre south of the main island, according to the British-based Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust.

Overall, scientists estimate that 18 snakes live on the reserve, said Matthew Morton, Durrell’s Eastern Caribbean programme manager.

The St Lucia racer is the world’s rarest snake.

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