It turns out there are invasive terrestrial snakes in Ibiza that throw themselves into the sea. And they are annihilating a unique lizard

A CREAF study says the horseshoe whip snake, accidentally introduced to Ibiza in 2003, has rapidly spread across the island.

The snake has even been seen swimming between islets, showing how far the invasion has advanced.

Its expansion is driving sharp declines in the endemic Pityusic wall lizard, a species found nowhere else.

Researchers warn that losing this lizard could damage Ibiza’s ecosystem and biodiversity.