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repulsewarrior
Ministerial
Joined: 06 Jan 2006
Posts: 2152
Location: a cypriot in canada
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Don’t kill the snake – call us
By Bejay Browne
ANIMAL conservationists have urged citizens not to take matters into their own hands after a large blunt-nosed viper was killed in a field in the Paphos village of Yiolou.
The snake measured 1.5m in length and weighed in at 4kg. Local man Christakkis Alkiviades said the snake had been difficult to destroy and added that it had many black patches on its skin, and this indicated it must have been old.
He added that the snake had caused so many problems for the owner of the adjacent field where the creature was destroyed, that he had been forced to sell his land.
But David Roach, who worked alongside Paphos reptile expert Snake George underlined the importance of snakes to the ecosystem in Cyprus.
“Without snakes Cyprus would be over-run with rats and mice – no matter how many cats we have here. I doubt a snake could terrorise a village, I just think people are scared of snakes and vipers in particular.”
Roach advises to stand still and let the snake pass by.
“The snakes are far more afraid of you than you are of them. The only time you may get bitten is if you stand on one, or if you corner one.”
According to Roach all of the cases of reported bites from a blunt-nosed viper in Cyprus have been in these circumstances.
“They won’t attack you,” he assured.
He added, “Vipers are attracted by three things; a good water source, as they drink a lot of water, a hiding place and a food source. If you take one of these factors away, you won’t have any vipers.”
Blunt nosed vipers are the only snakes not to be protected in Cyprus, but Roach urged pole not to kill them.
“If you need a snake removing, George will come and get it. He releases them back into the wild far away from inhabited areas.”
n If you require any information or help regarding snakes or reptiles call snake George on 99-987685
Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2009 |
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repulsewarrior
Ministerial
Joined: 06 Jan 2006
Posts: 2152
Location: a cypriot in canada
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Fishermen lend a hand to endangered snake
"The primary source of food for the snake is being threatened by this alien species," an official from Cyprus's Department of Fisheries and Marine Research told Reuters.
Largemouth bass feed in shallow waters near the banks of reservoirs, the same breeding ground used by the Natrix natrix cypriaca.
Cyprus lists the snake as critically endangered. The snake is harmless, and will not poison or bite. If threatened, it will either emit a foul-smelling fluid which it attempts to smear on its predator - or plays dead.
"They turn themselves upside down with the mouth open and the tongue hanging out," the Fisheries Department said on its website.
Remains of Natrix natrix cypriaca have been discovered at Aetokremmos, the oldest prehistoric site on Cyprus, dating back 12 000 years.
Xyliatos, nestled in the foothills of Troodos, the central mountain range of the Mediterranean island, is one of the very few areas where it still lives.
The anglers had originally been banned from the area to stop them trampling over the banks and inadvertently destroying the snake's habitat.
Now the threat from the bass has become too great.
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=143&art_id=nw20100208223224343C476487 |
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repulsewarrior
Ministerial
Joined: 06 Jan 2006
Posts: 2152
Location: a cypriot in canada
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| However, the fate of the rest lies in the hands of humans. “Destructors of their habitat are snakes’ worst enemies,” says David. “Fishermen and hunters kill them while the rest think they’re so dangerous, they should, if they see one.” So aren’t they? “Most of our snakes are non aggressive but they will try to defend themselves and will bite if they feel they are in danger.” The Blunt-nosed viper is one of only three venomous snakes found on the island – the other two are the cat snake and the Montpellier snake. “These are not naturally aggressive but if you step on one or touch one when gardening, for instance, it will bite. However, if you are bitten, the nature of the toxin means that you have plenty of time to get medical attention.” |
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| David and the rest of the team are hoping that this definitive guide will finally debunk the many myths surrounding these creatures and their habits and the fascinating information and pictures will be viewed as a huge contribution to the conservation of nature. “This is a highly threatened group and we should be doing something about the difficult future they’re facing,” says David. |
http://www.cyprus-mail.com/living/snake-men-cyprus/20100221 |
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peter2travel
Villager
Joined: 27 Jan 2010
Posts: 11
Location: london
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| Thanks for the nice post and making us alert about the importance of snakes to the ecosystem in Cyprus.I am relay surprised to know that how snake help the ecosystem. |
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repulsewarrior
Ministerial
Joined: 06 Jan 2006
Posts: 2152
Location: a cypriot in canada
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