They’re out of hibernation – stay out of their way and they’ll stay out of yours
SNAKES ON the island have awoken from their yearly hibernation period and are back in circulation.

There are eight species of snake indigenous to Cyprus, three of which are venomous. However, only the blunt nosed viper is dangerous to humans.

The island’s foremost snake expert, Hans-Joerg Wiedl, told the Cyprus Mail that there are two hibernation periods. “In mountainous areas, hibernation begins in early November and is over by the end of April, while you can see snakes until the middle of January in coastal areas.”

The 62-year-old Austrian has been living in Cyprus since 1986 and is a former member of the UN peacekeeping force here.

In 1996, he opened Snake George’s Reptile Park in Ayios Georgios, near Paphos, with the aim of educating and informing the public about the reptiles.
In Cyprus you are 1,000 times more likely to die in a road accident than from a snake bite and worldwide more people die from bee stings. With our almost relentless building projects, it is man that has a far greater impact on snakes than vice versa.

Nevertheless, Wiedl claimed that the attitude of Cypriots to the reptiles is totally wrong.

“People here believe the only good snake is a dead one.”

He advised people never to touch or try to catch a snake. “If you see one, stop and stand still. The snake will go away, as it’s more frightened of us than we are of it. If bitten, don’t panic as the shock could kill you. Clean the wound with water and get to a hospital as quickly as possible.”

All hospitals on the island have antivenin on site.

Wiedl estimated that 16 to 20 people are bitten on the island every year, with the last fatality coming ten years ago when a Cypriot woman was bitten by a blunt nosed viper in Protaras.

He advised people who feel at risk to invest in a powerful repellent called Snake Buster, which he helped to develop.

“This is a wholly natural repellent and does not harm either snakes or household pets, and, like most repellents, it works on the principle of inhibiting the animal’s sensory perception. With one application to garden borders, entranceways, garages, woodpiles, sheds, playgrounds and edges of swimming pools, it can repel a blunt nosed viper and all other Cyprus snakes for a period of up to eight weeks.


The snakes of Cyprus

The Worm Snake
Looks like an earthworm but can grow to about 30 centimetres and is either pink or beige in colour. Hunts only at night as the strong sun would kill it. Found in gardens and fields.

The Large Whip Snake
This is the most common of all snake species in Cyprus and can reach a length of two and a half metres. Initially olive green, with small brown lines. When mature, the colour changes to blue-black. Non-venomous, it kills via constriction. It has one peculiarity – it eats other snakes, including the blunt nosed viper. Can be found all over the island in fields, forests and even up trees where it raids birds nests.

The Cyprus Whip snake
This egg-laying snake only exists in Cyprus. It’s non-venomous and, like the large whip snake, it changes colour as it matures to become almost black. Found only in forests, mainly by streams

The Cyprus Grass Snake
The rarest and most endangered of our snakes, it emits a foul-smelling secretion that could clear a small village in a minute, along with any predators, if they feel threatened. Can swim very well and dines regularly on frogs and fish. It is non-venomous and is found only in the Paralimni lake area. Latest figures estimate the number remaining at 50.

The Coin Snake
This non-venomous snake is commonly confused with the blunt nosed viper. It will hiss loudly if approached and will strike quickly. It lives on a diet of lizards and mice and can be found along the coast as well as on the higher reaches of the mountains.

The Cat Snake
The slowest of the snakes, it hunts at night and if threatened will wriggle into a ring-like shape, raise itself up like a coil and hiss like a cat. It’s venomous and should be left well alone. Never reported to have bitten a human though. Found in coastal areas and in the Troodos mountains.

The Montpellier Snake
This venomous snake has coarse scales that produce a grinding noise when the snake slithers across the grass. It lives in open fields or forests, in both coastal and mountain areas and hunt and kill in a manner similar to a Cobra, raising its body up to one third of its length from the ground, then striking quickly, mainly against lizards. Again, never reported to have bitten a human.

The Blunt Nosed Viper
The most dangerous snake on the island, it is extremely venomous and is so perfectly camouflaged that it’s very hard to spot, so be extra careful when walking. Loves swimming pools when the dry season is at its height. Get to a hospital fast if bitten.
They are found all over Cyprus, mainly by streams.

(Additional reporting, Jill Campbell Mackay)