Are they potentially dangerous for me or my pets? Find out what snake species there are on the island of Mallorca, where you can find them and how you to identify them!
Before I start: I don't just love cats (or dogs or all other "typical" pets) - I'm also a big fan of reptiles. Since many people react fearfully to snakes out of ignorance, I would like to introduce you to these wonderful animals using the example of the snakes found on Mallorca.
As I prefer to be outside in nature, either in my garden or on walks around the island, and have also often worked outdoors, I have seen several of the 5 species of snakes living here in my 13 years on Mallorca.
Which snake species live on Mallorca?
According to the University of the Balearic Islands, five different species of snake exist on Mallorca and the other Balearic islands of Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera. Only two of these five snake species are considered autochthonous (ancient Greek for "native", an autochthonous species is an indigenous biological species that has lived in a given area for a long time without human intervention) due to the age of its introduction: The False Smooth Snake, in mallorquín "serp de garriga" (Macroprotodon mauritanicus) and the Viperine Snake, in mallorquín "serp d'aigua" (Natrix maura). These two species are considered protected and may not be caught.
My cat Floh ("Flea" in english), though a true Mallorquína by birth, probably didn't know about the protected status of these two species when she recently brought me, very proudly, a very young Fals Smooth Snake. Fortunately for the little reptile, Floh is always very careful and the snake had not even suffered a scratch - apart from maybe a fright - before I was able to bring it to safety.
The False Smooth Snake has small eyes with a vertically oval pupil. Their dorsal colouration is grey or cream with dark spots in a regular pattern and their belly is slightly yellow or pink. They have a dark spot on the neck in the shape of a "collar" and another elongated spot under each eye. They reach a length of up to 65 centimetres.
I saw the Viperine snake very often during my work as an Ocean Guide in the freshwater pools in the outdoor area of the Palma Aquarium. The aquarium's gardens border a protected wetland, one of the natural habitats of this aquatic snake, which swims and dives very well.
The other three snake species found on the Balearic Islands are the Horseshoe Whip Snake, mallorqu. Serp de ferradura (Hemorrhois hippocrepis), the Montpellier Snake, mallorqu. Serp verda (Malpolon monspessulanus) and the Ladder Snake, mallorqu. Serp blanca (Zamenis scalaris). All three of these species, although protected on the Iberian Peninsula, are considered invasive or introduced on Mallorca and therefore dangerous to the native species, and the Balearic Environmental Agency allows or advises the capture of specimens of these snake species in order to reduce their population.
The island government offers two leaflets, although in catalán, with which you can easily identify all five species of snakes on the Balearic Islands. You can download them from the following links:
If you have caught or found snakes of the introduced species, you should contact the local municipality for advice on how to proceed. However, if the animal cannot be kept somewhere controlled, it will be euthanised.
You can also contact the COFIB (Consorcio para la Recuperación de la Fauna de las Islas Baleares), the Centre for the Rescue of Protected Species in Santa Eugénia, on +34 607 55 40 55.
Are the snakes on Mallorca dangerous?
I have been asked this question many times and my answer is always "It depends for whom." Since neither we humans nor our pets (with the exception of rodents kept as pets such as mice, rats, rabbits, guinea pigs) are on the menu of these five snake species, we need not be afraid of them. However, we should never forget that these are wild animals that are not used to us humans and are afraid of us simply because of our size. Should they feel cornered and threatened, they will rightly try to defend themselves and may well bite. However, only the Montpellier snake has a neurotoxic venom. However, because of their opistoglyphous (meaning at the back of their throat, normally angling backward) fangs, bites to humans tend to have no serious consequences.
Hence my advice, never touch the snake if you are not familiar with these animals. Just let it go its way without disturbing it. If you want to remove it from a hazard zone (as in my case, away from my cats), a long stick for the snake to hold on to is a good alternative.
It is important to understand that no animal is on this planet to upset us. They all fulfil an important function in the natural ecosystem. Most of the local snake species feed on small rodents, birds, other reptiles or fish and tadpoles. I find reptiles generally beautiful and fascinating, but I understand that not everyone feels the same way. However, it should be easy for all of us to show animals the same respect that we take for granted for ourselves. It's easy: "Live and let live!".
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