Following the news that a 78-year old man was found dead in Paphos possibly due to a viper bite (according to the findings of the examination), an important question has been raised. How much of a threat do snakes pose in Cyprus and how can we protect ourselves?
It’s important to clarify (especially for anyone with ophidiophobia) that the risk of dying from a snake bite in this country is extremely low, although May is breeding season. Two deaths were linked to snakebite in Cyprus during the period from 2000 to 2019, one of which was related to multiple causes alongside the snakebite, according to a study by Daniel Jestrzemski, Maria Athanasiadou, Vasos Scoutellas, Parviz Ghezellou, Bernhard Spengler, Frank Gessler & Ulrich Kuch.
If the death in Paphos is confirmed to be due to snake bite, it will be the first case of it in the country since 2019.
Are snakes in Cyprus venomous?
Three of Cyprus’s eight snake species are venomous, but only the Cyprian blunt-nosed viper or fina (Macrovipera lebetina) is considered dangerous to humans due to its potent venom that can cause serious health complications if bitten.
Two other venomous species – the Montpellier snake or sapitis (Malpolon insignitus) and the European cat snake or agiofido (Telescopus fallax) – possess weak venom used primarily to immobilise prey and do not cause serious harm to humans.
The most common snake is the Large Whip Snake (Dolichophis jugularis), according to an article by Nick Sanna. This non-venomous snake is scared of humans and will try and get away from you as quickly as possible. According to Sanna, it is only interested in eating smaller snakes, rodents, and insects.
Only two snake species are entirely endemic to Cyprus: the Cyprus Whip Snake and the Cyprus Grass Snake. Both are non-venomous and harmless to humans.
The only one which poses any real threat is blunt-nosed viper. Sanna says “it has a very triangular head, along with a shorter, fat body. The blunt-nosed viper is yellowish-grey or light brown in color. This snake moves slowly and is mostly found near water beds in North Cyprus.”
The good news is all medical centers and hospitals in Cyprus stock the anti-venom, so you will survive as long as you seek proper medical attention.
Safety tips
Now, how can you keep yourself safe and ensure that you don’t need medical attention in the first place?
Around this time last year, The Ministry of Agriculture issued safety guidelines, which included “when moving in the countryside, we wear closed-toed shoes that cover the foot at least up to the ankle, as well as long trousers, so that we are protected in case we step on a venomous snake, we use a stick or rod to stir the grass and bushes in front of us. Snakes perceive ground vibrations and usually move away on their own”.
They also advised to limit food and water sources and remove objects such as stones, wood, old furniture, or other materials that create hiding places, cut tall grass and remove cut remnants, prune the bases of dense bushes to a height of up to 60cm from the ground, creating a gap at the bottom, and finally, ensure that wet and cool spots are not created (such as permanently wet grass or external pools) and seal cracks well in storage areas, basements, or other spaces, in order to prevent.
Sanna says that all species of snakes on the island are “much more afraid of you than you are of them”, and so it is best if both snakes and humans leave each other alone.
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