Unveiling Malta’s Serpentine Secret: The Ancient Origins of the Maltese Whip Snake

Imagine, if you will, the ancient mariners of yore, their galleys slicing through the azure waters of the Mediterranean, their eyes fixed on the distant, sun-kissed islands of Malta. Among their cargo, perhaps hidden amidst the goods they traded, was an unlikely stowaway: the Maltese Whip Snake. This is not mere speculation, but a theory supported by scientific evidence, as we look the fascinating story of how this protected serpent found its way to our shores.

Snake in the Grass: The Maltese Whip Snake Today

Today, the Maltese Whip Snake (Macroprotodon mauritanicus) is a familiar, if often unnoticed, resident of our islands. It’s a small, slender creature, typically no longer than 45cm, with a distinctive whip-like tail that gives it its name. You might spot one slithering across the sun-baked rocks of Dingli Cliffs, or darting through the undergrowth in the woods of Buskett. But how did it get here?

The Maltese Whip Snake is not native to Europe. Its closest relatives are found in North Africa, leading scientists to believe that it hitched a ride to Malta on a boat, thousands of years ago. But who were these ancient mariners, and when did they make this serpentine stowaway a part of our island’s fauna?

Following the Trail: From Africa to Malta

To understand how the Maltese Whip Snake arrived in Malta, we need to look back at the ancient civilizations that once called our islands home. The earliest evidence of human habitation in Malta dates back to around 5200 BC, with the arrival of the Neolithic people who built the megalithic temples that still stand today. Could they have been the ones to bring the snake with them?

Dr. Alan Deidun, a local herpetologist and expert on Maltese reptiles, thinks it’s a distinct possibility. “The Neolithic people would have had contact with North Africa,” he says, “and it’s not unreasonable to think that they might have accidentally brought the snake with them, perhaps hidden amongst their goods or even as a stowaway in their boats.”

But it’s not just the Neolithic people who could have been responsible. The Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Arabs, and Byzantines all left their mark on Malta, and any one of them could have inadvertently introduced the Maltese Whip Snake to our islands.

Protecting Our Serpentine Heritage

Today, the Maltese Whip Snake is protected under Maltese law, listed as a Schedule 1 species under the Wild Birds and Wild Plants Protection Regulation. This means it’s an offence to intentionally kill, injure, take, possess, or sell the snake, or to damage or destroy its breeding sites or places of shelter.

But despite this protection, the Maltese Whip Snake faces several threats. Habitat loss, climate change, and the introduction of non-native species all pose risks to this unique reptile. That’s why initiatives like the ‘Adopt a Snake’ project, run by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA), are so important. The project aims to raise awareness about the Maltese Whip Snake and to encourage people to help protect it.

“The Maltese Whip Snake is a fascinating part of our natural heritage,” says Dr. Deidun. “It’s a reminder of our ancient connections with Africa and the Mediterranean. We have a responsibility to protect it, not just for its own sake, but for what it tells us about our past and our place in the world.”

So, the next time you’re out and about in Malta, keep an eye out for our serpentine secret. You might just spot a piece of living history, slithering through the rocks and reminding us of the ancient mariners who once brought it to our shores.