The horseshoe whip snake, an invasive species, is expected to continue its proliferation on the Balearic Island of Mallorca, according to herpetology expert Mark-Oliver Rödel. Speaking to “Der Spiegel”, the curator at the Berlin Museum of Natural History predicts further population growth due to a lack of natural predators on the island, contrasted with the mainland and an abundance of potential prey.
Sightings of these snakes, reaching up to 1.85 meters long, have become increasingly frequent on Mallorca and surrounding islands. Though previously absent from the Balearics, the snakes are suspected to have been introduced via shipments of timber or olive trees. Recent reports include encounters by German tourists within their gardens, fueling concern within the local community.
Mallorca’s Association for Organic Agriculture has characterized the situation as “worrying” particularly for the island’s native reptile populations – the horseshoe whip snake’s preferred food source. The increased and widespread nature of these sightings indicates a substantial and established presence of the invasive species, something experts say is exceptionally difficult to eradicate. Numerous global attempts at removing established invasive species have proven unsuccessful. The snakes’ tendency to remain hidden – often inhabiting crevices or underground burrows – further complicates removal efforts.
While Rödel advises against panic among tourists, he emphasizes that the snakes are non-venomous and generally exhibit avoidance behavior towards humans. He encourages individuals to report any sightings to the local authorities while maintaining a safe distance and refraining from any interaction with the snakes.
