This protected snake was probably brought to Malta by ancient migrants

The European cat snake, which was often considered a native fixture of the Maltese countryside, was likely introduced to the islands by humans rather than arriving naturally.

A new genetic study published in international journal Biogeographia reveals that the Maltese population of Telescopus fallax shares a direct genetic link with populations in the Balkans and Greece.

The study, conducted by a team of scientists, including Maltese researchers Arnold Sciberras, Jeffrey Sciberras and Alan Deidun, suggests the species did not cross a land bridge from Sicily like many of Malta’s other reptiles, but was instead transported – intentionally or accidentally – by humans who crossed the Mediterranean to settle in Malta.

The species is a relatively small and slender snake, and it is most easily identified by its unique eyes and its leopard-like camouflage. It is usually beige with dark brown or blackish spots, has a flattened head and typically grows to about 70cm.

The snake is not dangerous to humans. It does have venom that evolved to paralyse its prey, but in the Maltese countryside, it is generally shy and comes out at night. When it encounters a human, its first instinct is to flee and hide in the crevices of rubble walls.

Analysis of eight, road-killed snakes

By analysing mitochondrial DNA in eight road-killed snakes, researchers found that they are nearly identical to those found in the Aegean region.

This genetic uniformity indicates that a small number of snakes arrived on the islands via ancient maritime trade or migration.

This means the snakes would have found themselves on the islands, not because they crossed land bridges themselves, but because they were transported by humans with materials like firewood, for instance. 

Over time, they adapted and integrated into the Maltese ecosystem.

The snakes found themselves on the islands not because they crossed land bridges but because they were transported by humans with materials like firewood, for instance

“Some authors have cautiously hypothesised that Telescopus fallax could be native on the Maltese archipelago,” the researchers concluded.

“However, the lack of genetic variability, the shared haplotype with most sequences of the ‘Balkan peninsula clade’ and the absence of direct land connection between the Maltese archipelago and the Balkans, strongly support a recent origin of T. fallax populations in Malta, likely via human-mediated dispersal processes.”

The species is now a protected part of Malta’s biodiversity.

And while the snake is not an invasive threat, its presence is living proof of Malta’s ancient history as a hub for Mediterranean maritime travel.

“While earlier hypotheses suggested a recent arrival, possibly during the early 20th century, historical records indicate that the species was already present in Malta prior to this period,” the researchers said. “This raises the possibility that the introduction may date back centuries, potentially linked to ancient trade or cultural exchanges involving the movement of goods and materials.”

They said the species is more widespread across Malta than previously believed, but it remains scarce in Gozo. “Its presence on Gozo is likely the result of a secondary, human-assisted spread from Malta,” they said.

“This study not only resolves a longstanding scientific question but also highlights the profound role of human history in shaping the biodiversity of island ecosystems.”