British tourists looking forward to a holiday in Spain this year have been told to be on red alert as the country's snakes up wake up for the summer.
The island of Mallorca, a popular destination with Brits, will see snakes more frequently between May and July.
In 2021, it was reported that several snakes were seen on beaches in Calvia and Andratx on the island that flanks Ibiza, The Daily Star reports.
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Vanessa Rubio, biologist at the Consorci per a la Recuperació de la Fauna de les Illes Balears, or COFIB said: "This is their gestation time, so they are looking for the ideal nesting place.
"In May, June and July snakes are more active so people are more likely to see them, especially if it's hot. Temperatures have not risen much yet, but the snakes are waking up and if we have a cold May and June, we will see more of them in summer."
Horseshoe snakes, are just one of the species which inhabit the island. They're considered a relatively new addition to the island and are expected to be a common sight on the stunning Balearic island.
The species is docile enough but if they feel threatened they are known to attack. Luckily, they avoid people whenever they can and flee more often than not.
"Snakes are not a danger to people," insists Rubio. "Being bitten by a horseshoe snake is like being bitten by a cat and they are not poisonous or dangerous. They will defend themselves if they are cornered and try to bite, but they are not poisonous."
Across the Spanish island there are two native species of snake to look out for: the serp de garriga and the serp d'aigua.
However, in the last decade there has been a process of accidental colonisation by two new species; the 'serp de ferradura' and the 'serp blanca', says the Mallorca Daily Bulletin.
In wider Spain there are five types of poisonous snakes and about 10 non-poisonous snakes. In November last year Ewan Wilson, from Cardiff, was driving through the countryside in Diseminado Cabo Gata, Almeria, south-east Spain, when he was bitten by a ladder snake.
Mr Wilson, who was wearing a head camera, filmed as he and his girlfriend crouched down by the ladder snake - fortunately one of Spain's non-venemous species. It started to hiss and then suddenly lunged at Mr Wilson, biting his hand as he went to pick it up.
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