Spain holiday hotspot swarmed by invasion of horseshoe snakes
A popular Spanish holiday hotspot has reportedly been invaded by so many serpents that wildlife specialists are calling for "thousands and thousands of traps".
Mallorca, which welcomes over 2.3 million British tourists each year, alongside the wider Balearic islands, has witnessed a dramatic explosion in non-native snake numbers. The horseshoe snake, one particular breed, could pose significant dangers to the local ecosystem.
While this reptile can flourish in diverse environments, it commonly dwells in forests, agricultural zones, and built-up areas across southwestern Europe. COFIB, Mallorca's wildlife rescue and sanctuary organisation, reportedly captured nearly 3,000 horseshoe snakes throughout 2023 alone.
Despite these measures, the invasive breed continues to endanger the area's environmental balance.
Samuel Pinya, a biologist from the University of the Balearic Islands (UIB), told Spanish publication Diario AS: "We need thousands and thousands of traps to reduce the population." He continued: "The horseshoe snake has swum in, and when it arrives, it eats everything."
Nicolau Cerdà, from the Association of Organic Farmers and Producers of Mallorca (APAEMA), explained: "These snakes are beneficial for farmland on the mainland, but on an island like Mallorca, with no predators at all, they become voracious and hunt all wildlife.
"They have no competitors and cause imbalances in nature. They've almost wiped out the lizard, and all small fauna, such as geckos, amphibians or small birds like chicks, sparrows or partridges, they wipe them out."
What if a tourist is bitten by a horseshoe snake?
While local authorities are concerned about the impact of the snake on the native ecosystem, they pose little danger to people in the area. This is because the species is non-venomous, meaning a bite should not pose a serious threat to life.
However, if holidaymakers encounter a horseshoe snake while visiting Mallorca, they should keep a safe distance as it can still deliver a painful bite when threatened.
It might also be prudent to alert local authorities, as community efforts to control the population of horseshoe snakes continue.
How to identify a horseshoe snake
Mallorca is home to several types of snakes, making it difficult to immediately identify which one might need to be reported to officials. However, the horseshoe snake typically stands out from other snakes due to its larger size, which can reach up to 170cm in length.
The head is also flat and pointed, distinguishing it from the rest of the body. Its name can also help with identification as the species usually has an open horseshoe-shaped marking, along with a particularly long and slender tail.
Typically, the horseshoe snake's scales are of an olive-brown hue and often bear dark circular markings against a white or yellow belly.
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