9. The Leopard Snake

The Leopard Snake's yellow and brown pattern is strikingly beautiful. Unfortunately, the words 'snake' and 'beautiful' rarely meet in most people's psyche - a pity, because the snake' bad reputation is based on pure fiction, at least on the local scene. None of the four Maltese species of snake are in the least bit dangerous to people, they are indeed beneficial as they rid us of rats and mice. The Leopard Snake carries the additional stigma of being called lifgha in Maltese, which of course triggers instant images of St Paul fighting off the venomous beast. In reality, the gentle Leopard Snake is totally harmless, and even if handled will only try to slip away without retaliation. Not that snakes should be handled, as this stresses and may injure the animal. And anyway, snakes are protected by Maltese law and it is illegal to disturb them in any way.