Latest news with #SamuelPinya
Daily Record
31-07-2025
- Daily Record
Spain holiday hotspot swarmed by invasion of horseshoe snakes
The island sees more than 2.3 million British visitors annually and has experienced a dramatic surge in non-native snake populations 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.
Daily Mail
31-07-2025
- Science
- Daily Mail
Holiday hotspot hit with snake invasion as expert calls for 'thousands of traps'
Spanish island Mallorca attracts millions of Brits each year with its beautiful beaches and warm weather. However, the popular holiday hotspot has been hit with a foreign snake invasion that threatens to damage the local ecosystem. Mallorca is home to several snake species but concerns have been raised as the island has seen a large increase in horseshoe snakes over recent years. Biologist Samuel Pinya from the University of the Balearic Islands told Spanish news publication Diario AS: 'We need thousands and thousands of traps to reduce the population.' Horseshoe snakes are native to southwestern Europe and northern Africa, grow up to around 170cm in length and can swim. And a surge in the reptiles has caused sargantana, a species of lizard, to disappear in several areas. 'Sergansers play a pollinating role in plants. Their disappearance could trigger a chain reaction whose outcome we don't know,' Samuel stressed. He explained the horseshoe snake population 'is much higher than on the mainland'. The biologist urged for fast action against the snakes. 'Either we drastically increase trapping and extraction, or we will have to get used to living with these snakes,' he said. According to the Express, Nicolau Cerdà, from the Association of Organic Farmers and Producers of Mallorca (APAEMA), explained the issues the snakes are causing in Mallorca specifically. He said: '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.' The expert revealed the impact the horseshoe snake has had on the environment already. He said: '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.' Samuel explained how the population has gradually grown since 2003, and blames the lack of action earlier on for the more recent surge. Mallorca is home to several snake species but concerns have been raised that the disruptive horseshoe snake could be dangerous for the eco-system They are not venomous and are unlikely to be life-threatening to humans. However, they can bite, so travellers should stay away and alert local officials if they spot one. The horseshoe snake isn't officially classified as an invasive species in Mallorca, but is in Ibiza. Joan Company, president of the Agrarian Association of Young Farmers (ASAJA), called for change. He revealed because of the classification, local individuals are left to deal with the problem instead of professionals.
