Filenews 28 April 2022
"We have two incidents of a snake bite a year in Cyprus," George Constantinou, naturalist - president of the Association for the Protection of Natural Heritage and Biodiversity of Cyprus, told ACTIVE. He explained that the blunt nosed viper is the only poisonous reptile in Cyprus, "which is not aggressive, since in order for the snake to bite you, you have to accidentally press it, grab it with your hand, or approach it within walking distance".
"There are vipers everywhere," Mr. Constantinou said, noting that "it is easy to recognize her, because of her thick body, the grey/sand colour of the body, her triangular head and the tail that is cut abruptly from her thick body. If you approach this reptile dangerously, you will hear a characteristic whistle, which it is not difficult to hear, and it is as if you are being warned by the reptile not to approach it."
"It is the season when all reptiles are active after winter and move for mating and feeding, so there are great chances to meet them near rivers or stagnant waters," the reptile expert pointed out.
"Usually the reptile itself flees," Mr. Constantinou added, and advised everyone not to kill reptiles, which are the regulators of nature. "Without them," he said, "we would be awash with mice and various rodents."
''If you meet her at home, in your yard or roof," he concludes, "notify the Fire Brigade, which in turn will call the experts to remove the reptile."
