WITH THE weather warming up snakes are emerging from hibernation, this period is when most snake bites can occur, so if you’re out walking or picnicking this Easter weekend you should take reasonable care.
“Snakes are coming out of hibernation now and as the temperature isn’t very high they are docile and lethargic, as they get energy from the sun and it warms up their blood,” said Paphos snake expert David Roach.
This means the creatures aren’t moving as swiftly as they will during the warmer months and, if disturbed unexpectedly, can bite.
“Snakes will usually slither away before you see them, “he said.
Roach has worked closely with ‘Snake George’ or Hans-Jorg Wiedl – the Cyprus-based Austrian snake and reptile specialist who ran the Paphos Snake Farm for many years. He is currently in Austria completing a number of snake and reptile surveys for the Austrian government.
In the meantime, Snake George’s assistant has some words of advice for the public. He says spring is the most common time to see snakes as they are waking up.
“If you are gardening there are some basic things to bear in mind. Snakes like to shelter under rocks and in long grass and you may even find one which has been hibernating in a garden shed,” he said.
“If you are turning over rocks, do so carefully, tilting the rock slowly towards you, giving a chance for a snake to go away.”
Three types of snakes in Cyprus are poisonous. The blunt-nosed viper is the most venomous. The other two are the cat snake and the Montpellier snake.
Of the most venomous of Cyprus snakes, Roach said, “There are not many blunt-nosed vipers in Cyprus and they tend to be found near open water such as swimming pools. They drink from pools even though they are chlorinated. It doesn’t harm them they are quite resilient.”
Roach said that the snakes are thirsty as they wake from hibernation and will head straight for areas of water. “Later on in September the babies tend to fall into pools so you may find one in there.”
He stressed that snakes are more scared of us than we are of them and the blunt nosed viper is the only highly toxic snake in Cyprus. While the cat snake is venomous, its bite is like a bee sting. They like dark places where there are insects such as lofts and sheds.
There are very few recorded cases of Montpelier snakes biting people, he said. “They do hold enough poison to cause serious harm, but it’s difficult for them to bite as their teeth are in the back of their heads.”
Roach has handled hundreds of snakes and has been bitten many times and once by a blunt-nosed viper.
“The snake didn’t administer any venom in its bite though.”
Roach pointed out that snakes judge the amount of venom to use in each bite and sometimes may not give any at all.
But in all cases of snake bites, medical attention must be sought immediately.
“If you are bitten by any snake you must get medical help straight away. Even if the bite is not venomous you must have a tetanus jab,” he said.
He pointed out that a bite from a blunt-nosed viper is not lethal, “unless you let it become so”.
“After receiving a bite from a BNV, you have about four hours to safely get to hospital for treatment. After this limbs can become black and in the worst case scenario, limbs may have to be amputated in order to save your life.”
It takes around eight to 10 hours for an untreated bite to become life threatening.”
Animals are at greater risk of snake bites than humans but Roach said owners often mistake bites from other creatures such as scorpions for snake bites.
“Cases of snakes biting animals are few and far between, but if an animal or a human has been bitten you must never try to get the poison out yourself. There are some types of anti venom available on the market. Don’t use them. You may be causing more problems. Always seek proper medical attention,” he stressed.
Roaches’ advice was echoed by a spokesperson for animal welfare charity Paphiakos and CCP animal welfare.
“If an animal is bitten you must get them to the nearest vet immediately,” she said.
“We are expecting to see animals coming in with snake bites around this time of year. Last year about 30 dogs were brought in with snake bites and a couple of them sadly died.”
She said dogs get bitten more frequently than cats, as “cats are smarter”.
“Dogs are usually bitten on the face as they like to sniff around and the area will swell up pretty quickly. There are also usually two visible fang marks where the bite was made.”
According to Roach, Snake George will return to the island later in the year, when the duo hopes to finally open a permanent large snake and reptile park in Paphos.
In the meantime, David Roach may be contacted for advice and help on 99845702.
SIDEBAR
Snakes of Cyprus:-
Venomous snakes-
Blunt-nosed viper – Macrovipera l.lebetina cypriensis – this snake can grow to a length of 130cm and the thickness of an arm. It has a blunt nose and is sandy coloured.
The cat snake – Telescopus tallax cyprianus – can grow to 80cm in length, has a broad flat head, vertical slitted eyes and large scales on its forehead. It has a diamond like pattern down its back. Its colour can be beige, brown or green.
The Montpellier snake – Malpolon monspessulanus insignitus – has lidded, large round eyes and younger snakes’ markings may be brown with either yellow stripes or spots or lines. Adults are grey or olive-green with a paler underbelly.
Non-Venomous Snakes:
The large whip snake – Coluber jugularis – is the most common snake in Cyprus. It can grow to two and a half metres. Younger snakes are olive-brown which changes to a blue-black as it gets older.
Cyprus whip snake – Coluber cypriensis – the only endemic reptile in Cyprus. The young whip snake is beige and as it ages it becomes olive green. When it reaches two and a half years it becomes black tinged with green.
Worm snake – Typhlops vermicularis – Pinky-brown in colour and is often found hiding under stones.
Cyprus grass snake – Natrix natrix cypriaca – is light to dark brown, dark brown to black or deep blue-black without markings.
Coin snake -Coluber nummifer – the markings are similar to the venomous blunt-nosed viper, but is distinguishable as its pupils are round; the body is with a tail tapering at the end slim. Its head has large scales and the body has a sheen.
