An unusual scene in the Ibiza countryside has highlighted the ongoing effort to control the island's invasive snake population.

Six horseshoe snakes were found together inside a single trap near Santa Agnès, according to local snake catcher and conservation volunteer Dean Gallagher, who said the animals appeared to be trying to escape when the trap was opened.

Six Snakes in One Trap

Gallagher, who has been involved in efforts to control invasive snakes in Ibiza for years, encountered the unusual situation at a rural property near Santa Agnès.

The six snakes were captured together in one of the traps being used as part of the island's ongoing snake-control programme. Gallagher described the moment as particularly striking because the snakes were apparently all trying to get out at once.

The discovery illustrates the continuing presence of invasive snakes in parts of Ibiza and the scale of the challenge facing conservation teams.

Why Are Snakes Being Trapped in Ibiza?

Ibiza has been dealing with invasive snake species for more than two decades.

The horseshoe whip snake is among the main species of concern. These non-native snakes arrived on the islands largely through the importation of trees and have subsequently established populations across Ibiza.

Their spread has become a major conservation concern because the snakes prey on the island's endemic Ibiza wall lizard, or sargantana. Conservationists have warned that the native lizard has disappeared from large parts of the island as snake populations have expanded.

Protecting Ibiza's Native Lizards

The Ibiza wall lizard is unique to Ibiza and neighbouring islands and plays an important role in the local ecosystem.

Conservation groups have been working alongside authorities and volunteers to monitor snake populations and protect remaining lizard populations.

Recent visual surveys in parts of Ses Salines Natural Park have recorded major declines in lizard numbers, underlining why controlling the invasive snakes remains an important conservation priority.

An Ongoing Effort

The latest discovery is not an isolated incident. Trapping is being used across Ibiza to identify and remove invasive snakes from areas where native wildlife is still present.

Gallagher has previously worked extensively in this effort, and his conservation work has brought greater public attention to the relationship between invasive snakes and the decline of Ibiza's native lizards.

For visitors to Ibiza, the story is also a reminder that the island's natural environment includes a delicate ecosystem that requires protection. The snakes involved are not considered a threat to people in the way venomous snakes would be, but their impact on native wildlife is a significant environmental concern.

The discovery of six snakes in one trap near Santa Agnès shows that the monitoring and control programme remains very active.