Agriculture in Spain is marked by tradition and the care of Frutale treess that have accompanied its inhabitants for centuries. However, in recent years, a curious concern has been unleashed that has drawn attention to both farmers and Fauna experts: Increased Snakes in Los Olivares. This phenomenon has been especially notorious in various regions of the country, where the presence of snakes, especially in the surroundings of the olive trees, has increased considerably.
The fact that a tree as common as the olive tree has become a magnet for these reptiles, has generated endless questions about the reasons behind this curious behavior. The Olivares They not only offer refuge, but also food. Located in rural areasThey are ideal habitats for natural dams such as mice, moles and lizards, which attract snakes in search of food. In addition, the warm climate of Mediterranean areas creates the perfect environment for these reptiles for much of the year.
How to deal with snakes?
The olive tree is known for being a plant that adapts to various types of soils and climates, but beyond its Agronomic characteristicsoffers shelter and shadow, creating little hiding places for snakes. These shelters allow them to protect themselves from heat and, in the coldest days, find a warm place, since, being reptiles of cold blood, snakes need heat sources to regulate their body temperature.
The structure of the olive groveswith its dry stone walls that delimit the plots, it also plays an essential role. This acts as a natural barrier that favors heat retention during the day, resulting in pleasant temperatures during the night, especially in the summer months. The accumulation of heat throughout the day and the slow release of this heat during the night makes the olive groves a perfect environment for snakes.
Although the presence of snakes in the olive groves does not usually represent an immediate danger for human beings, the growing presence of these reptiles has generated concern among farmers. Many fear that they can damage the crops or that field workers can meet them during their collection days. Although most snake species in Spain are not poisonous, the simple fact of seeing a snake can scare, which generates an environment of insecurity for those who work in the field.
In addition, in certain areas, some snakes can be disease carriers that could affect the crops or the animals that inhabit the farms. This has led many farmers to take measures to reduce the presence of these reptiles in their olive groves.
How to act
Although snakes can be uncomfortable for farmers, it is important to remember that they are a integral part of the ecosystem. Like other animals, they play an essential role in pest control, since they feed on rodents and other small animals that can damage the crops. Therefore, it is important to find a balance between handling the presence of snakes and preserving their ecological function.
To minimize the presence of snakes in the olive groves, farmers can opt for a series of measures. First, it is fundamental Keep well careful olive groveswith clean and free soils of stones or thickets that can serve as a refuge for snakes. In addition, controlling the population of rodents on the farms can help reduce the amount of dams available for reptiles.
Another option is Install mesh fences or natural barriers that prevent snakes from approaching the most sensitive cultivation areas. You can also use non -lethal traps to capture snakes and release them in an area further from the olive groves.
Although the phenomenon of snakes in the olive groves may seem strange or even worrying, it is a reminder of how human beings and nature They are interconnected. The olive trees, like other plants, are part of a broader ecosystem, which includes animals that depend on them to survive.
As the Conditions of olive groves They change, so do the species that inhabit them. As a society, it is essential that we learn to understand these phenomena and to adapt to them in a respectful way, in order to protect both our crops and the fauna that lives around it.
While the Presence of snakes in the olive groves It can be disconcerting, it is also an opportunity to reflect on the balance between agriculture and biodiversity conservation. Farmers must find ways to deal with these reptiles so that they do not harm crops or the ecosystem that supports a lifetime on the farm.
