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'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
TL;DR
- The horseshoe whip snake, an invasive species, has become a major threat to the Ibiza wall lizard.
- Snakes have been observed swimming to nearby islets, leading to the extinction of unique lizard populations on 10 islands.
- The lizards are a keystone species, controlling insect populations, pollinating flowers, and dispersing seeds.
- Invasive snakes were likely introduced through imported ancient olive trees and have spread rapidly across Ibiza.
- More than 3,500 invasive snakes were captured on Ibiza last year, and over 16,000 culled since 2016.
- Despite conservation efforts, including captive breeding programs, the future of many lizard populations is uncertain.
- Ironically, some urban areas of Ibiza have stable lizard populations because snakes are run over or killed by humans.