‘This is a tragedy’: swimming snakes open new front in battle with Balearic lizards
The invasive horseshoe whip snake has been documented swimming to a small islet near Ibiza, posing an existential threat to the local wall lizard population. Researchers are concerned about the rapid spread of this predator across the Balearic Islands.
Why it matters
It highlights the impact of invasive species on island biodiversity and the challenges of ecological conservation.
The horseshoe whip snake ( Hemorrhois hippocrepis ) first appeared on Ibiza two decades ago. Photograph: Rubén Casas View image in fullscreen The horseshoe whip snake ( Hemorrhois hippocrepis ) first appeared on Ibiza two decades ago. Photograph: Rubén Casas Snakes ‘This is a tragedy’: swimming snakes open new front in battle with Balearic lizards The insatiable horseshoe whip snake has become an existential threat to the Ibiza wall lizard
The article reports on ecological research and wildlife observations in a factual, objective manner.
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