Invasion of snakes: Aggressive species are spreading across Mallorca

They conquer the Balearic Islands – and are not only becoming more numerous, but also larger: horseshoe snakes. The animals recently made the news when a particularly large specimen of 1.60 meters was found in Mallorca in September. The largest horseshoe snake discovered so far in the Balearic Islands was 1.85 meters long.

For years, more and more of these reptiles have been spotted in the Balearic Islands. They have now spread all over Mallorca; They are often seen especially in the northeast of the island. According to a report in the Mallorca newspaper, 2,710 of these animals were caught in Ibiza in 2022, 140 horseshoe snakes in Mallorca and 600 in Formentera.

How dangerous is the invasive species that not only tourists and locals, but also animal rights activists are concerned about?

No.

Horseshoe snakes (Hemorrhois hippocrepis) are not poisonous. However, they are considered easily excitable and may bite if they feel cornered. The bite is therefore not life-threatening. However, it can still be tricky because it not only hurts, but can also lead to inflammation.

However, the animals continue to cause shocking moments and have been wriggling more and more over people’s paths in nature in the Balearic Islands for years, but also on roads and beaches. They are often noticed by hikers, especially in rocky areas.

The species of snake seems to be very comfortable on the islands, although it was not originally native there, but was probably introduced from the mainland in imported plants such as olive trees. Because the animals hibernate in caves in tree trunks, they can travel unnoticed.

Several studies have shown that they grow unusually large in the Balearic Islands, National Geographic quotes Lluís Parpal, head of the Balearic animal protection organization Consorcio de Recuperación de Fauna de las Islas Baleares (COFIB) in a report. The explanation for this is simple: the snakes have no natural enemies on the islands and find sufficient food.

The snakes pose a threat to local wildlife

They pose a serious threat to wildlife on Mallorca and the neighboring islands. According to a 2021 study, horseshoe snakes, together with humans, have contributed to the sharp decline in the population of several native lizard species. In some regions there are hardly any specimens of the Pityuse lizard and the Balearic lizard left.

The Balearic Islands species protection authority, Cofib, some time ago started setting up mouse traps to prevent the spread of the snakes.

However, the authority points out that in addition to the horseshoe snakes, other snakes are also native to Mallorca, such as the North African hooded snake and viper snakes. Both are under protection and need to be freed from the traps, Cofib employee Vanessa Rubio is quoted in a report by the “Mallorca Zeitung”.