Popular Maltese naturalist Arnold Sciberras described the snake as “beneficial”, “non-venomous,“indigenous” to our islands, and “endangered,” so much so that it is “on the verge of extinction”.

He explained that the leopard snake species has been on a steady decline since the late 1990s.

“The female lays only two to seven eggs during the mating season, so it is very important not to harm this animal or its nest,” Sciberras continued.

“It grows up to one metre long,” he explained, adding that contrary to popular belief, it is not black in colour, but has a pale brown hue with dark-brown or reddish-brown spots, reddish eyes, and a forked black mark on the occiput and nape – elements which give the snake “a mean look”.

“You may come across this snake in garigue habitats, moving among the stones and vegetation on the ground, or coiled around tree branches in shaded valleys. It feeds on young birds, lizards, geckos, frogs, mice, rats and small snakes and forages at dawn and dusk, when it is most commonly glimpsed,” Sciberras explained.

Given the endangered nature of the species, the naturalist has urged the public to submit any spake sightings, particularly when it comes to the lifgħa.

If you do spot a leopard snake, send an email to [email protected] or message  99887950, along with details on the sighting, and perhaps even attaching a photo of the snake.

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