in-cyprus 16 May 2020 -Bouli Hadjioannou
Highlighting the importance of snakes in nature, the Agriculture Ministry has reassured the public that snakes do not attack people unless threatened.
In a post on Facebook, the ministry shared photos by Harris Nicolaou of the eight types of snake that can be found in Cyprus and noting that with the end of hibernation, there is increased activity of snakes.
“In our country there are eight species of snakes, of which three have poison, but only one – the viper – has poison so toxic that it can hurt man,” the ministry said.
No snake attacks man unless threatened. If they meet us on their way, most likely the snakes will try to hide.
Mistaken concepts about snakes have unfortunately led to irrational fear or panic, leading people to chase and kill them, it added.
“It is important to remember that snakes mainly feed on rodents and are an important part of the Cyprus fauna and the food chain,” it concluded.
The eight types of snake in Cyprus are:
Fina – Macrovipera lebetina (blunt-nosed viper)
Dropis – Hemorrhois nummifer (Coin snake)
Hierophis cypriensis (Cyprus whip snake)
Nerofido – Natrix natrix cypriaca (Grass snake)
Saitta – Malpolon insignitus
Xylodropis, ayiodifo –Telescopus fallax (European cat snake)
Anilios – Typhlops vermicularis
Therko – Dolichophis jugularis (black whip snake)
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LARGE WHIP SNAKE
This is the most commonly seen snake in Cyprus, often spotted crossing roads or even more commonly in squashed form having not made it through traffic. It’s the island’s largest snake, growing up to a length of 3m, although they are more commonly around the 2m mark. The snake is easily recognisable in its adult form being shiny black with a bluish tint in sunlight. The young are a complete contrast being a light brown with dark markings, often leading it to be confused with the Blunt Nosed Viper. Whilst the Large Whip Snake is common around the eastern Mediterranean, the Cypriot snake is a sub species distinguishable by a red mark on its throat. The snake is known to be aggressive when threatened and unlike other snakes, will often stand its ground rather that slither away. It’s not venomous, instead being a constrictor and are very effective in helping to control rats and mice as well as being known to eat Blunt Nosed Vipers. It can climb trees where it will often rob nests of eggs and young.
CYPRUS WHIP SNAKE
The Cyprus Whip Snake was only identified in the last two decades as previously it was thought to be a juvenile of the Large Whip Snake. It differs from that species in being not uniformly black, some are dark brown, others olive brown and have paler banding across their bodies. They have a defined white ring around their eyes helping further with identification. They are smaller than the Large Whip Snake, only measuring a maximum of 1.1m when fully grown. They are non-venomous and catch their prey, typically small lizards, through their speed. They inhabit rocky, scrubby terrain and are active day and night. They are known to be good climbers and have been seen to scale vertical smooth walls.
COIN SNAKE
This is one of the Middle East’s most attractive snakes, called so because of the dark, almost circular, markings along its pale brown back. The variety found in Cyprus is again slightly different to its mainland brothers and sisters in having its markings not so clearly defined. It’s also much bigger than the mainland snake, growing up to 1.7m in length. Whilst non-venomous, it’s a very aggressive snake and will readily attack if provoked. It has small, sharp teeth that can cause a painful bite and eats small mammals, lizards and robs nests. It’s known to be an excellent climber.
BLUNT NOSED VIPER
This is the bad boy of the island’s snakes; the only potentially lethal snake in Cyprus. That said, despite an average of twenty attacks on humans each year, no one has died from its bite for nearly fifteen years. It’s easily recognised being a large fat snake, around 1.3 to 1.7m long with offset semi-rectangular markings along its silvery beige back. It is also discernible from the black spots on its head. Many bites occur through lack of care as the snake is used to remaining motionless to await the approach of the birds it preys on and its well camouflaged markings mean that walkers often get too close. You’ll often find it close to water where it waits for its prey to approach and when the temperatures get too hot, it uses the water to cool itself with many people reporting finding them in their swimming pools in summer. The snake is on the endangered list mainly because ignorant people see it as a dangerous pest and kill it forgetting that it is an important part of the Cypriot ecosystem. Additionally it often falls prey itself to Whip Snakes and birds of prey.
MONTPELLIER SNAKE
This is a rare snake in Cyprus and quite attractive in colouring and markings. Usually up to 2m long, it is light brown in colour and lacks markings on its back. It has a reddish tinge to its head and a pale underside can often be pink. It is quite venomous but no attacks on humans have ever been reported as it is very difficult to approach and is often long gone before you get near it. It can attempt to bite if it is roughly handled but has backward pointing teeth making it difficult for them to penetrate human flesh. It’s found on open grassland and scrub and eats young birds and small mammals and rodents.
CAT SNAKE
The Cat Snake is so called because in strong light its pupils go to slits like cats. It’s a small, thin snake, rarely exceeding 70cms. It has very distinctive black circular markings on an olive brown skin. The snake is nocturnal and hunts lizards and small mammals. It’s found mainly in rocky areas but has been known to frequent dry stone walls and old dilapidated buildings. It is venomous but, like the Montpellier Snake, has backward pointing fangs making it difficult for it to bite humans. It is quite aggressive when approached and can seem menacing.
CYPRUS GRASS SNAKE
Another species which is only found in Cyprus, it is becoming increasingly rare because of careless human use of its habitats. It is disputed whether it is actually still found in the wild with the last sightings of it being in and around Paralimni Lake. It is an amphibious snake, feeding off small fish and frogs but its food source is being rapidly depleted as lakes and reservoirs become stocked with fish for anglers which eat the weed where it hunts and prove too aggressive for the snake. It can grow up to 1.5m and is dark in colour with few if any markings other than longitudinal ones along its flank. To get away from predators it excretes a vile smelling liquid from its anal gland that is potent and nauseating. It is completely harmless.
PINK WORM SNAKE
This is Cyprus’ most unusual snake and is often confused with a large worm. It lives and hunts underground or in any other dark and damp environment. It has tiny eyes and senses prey by movement. As the name would suggest, it’s pink in colour and it dies quickly if exposed to strong sunlight. It feeds on ants and insect larvae and if attacked, it uses its spiny tail to ‘sting’ although it carries no venom.
DAHL'S WHIP SNAKE OR ARROW SNAKE
This snake gets its second name from the way it holds its head as it moves; raised from the ground and pointing forward. It can grow up to 1.4m and can be pink, ochre or brown in colour. It’s distinguishable by its large eyes which are surrounded with a band of yellow. It’s a very thin snake that inhabits scrubland and favours areas close to homes where its prey; small lizards and insects, can be found. The snake can climb trees and bushes and is often seen wrapped around them. It isn’t poisonous and can be quite timid.
DWARF SNAKE
As its name suggests, the Dwarf Snake grows to a maximum size of 40cms and is thin. It is silvery grey in colour with lines of small dark rectangles down its back and is found in open countryside on grassy, scrubby soils. There is some discussion whether it truly exists in Cyprus or whether sightings have been of juvenile Montpellier Snakes. The snake eats mostly insects and small lizards and is non-venomous.
