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"SNAKE GEORGE'S" WORLD FAMOUS REPTILE PARK, PAPHOS, CYPRUS
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 65-year-old Austrian has been living in Cyprus since 1986 and is a former member of the UN peacekeeping force here. The island's foremost snake expert, Hans-Joerg Wiedl informs 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." 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 anti-venom on site. Snake George 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. 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 spots. 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 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. It is an endemic sub-species, which means it is endemic only to Cyprus. It was believed that this snake had become extinct in Cyprus, until Snake George re-discovered it in 1992. This snake is one of the main focuses of the protection programme. 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 birds and can be found along the coast as well as on the higher reaches of the mountains. This snake is a Back-fang poisonous snake. 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 right up to the Troodos mountains. This snake is a Back-fang poisonous snake. 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. Paphos Reptile Park Telephone:00357 26623545 Address: PO Box 62133, 8060, Paphos, Cyprus. Email: snakegeorge@hotmail.com
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 65-year-old Austrian has been living in Cyprus since 1986 and is a former member of the UN peacekeeping force here. The island's foremost snake expert, Hans-Joerg Wiedl informs 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." 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 anti-venom on site. Snake George 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. 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 spots. 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 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. It is an endemic sub-species, which means it is endemic only to Cyprus. It was believed that this snake had become extinct in Cyprus, until Snake George re-discovered it in 1992. This snake is one of the main focuses of the protection programme. 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 birds and can be found along the coast as well as on the higher reaches of the mountains. This snake is a Back-fang poisonous snake. 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 right up to the Troodos mountains. This snake is a Back-fang poisonous snake. 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. Paphos Reptile Park Telephone:00357 26623545 Address: PO Box 62133, 8060, Paphos, Cyprus. Email: snakegeorge@hotmail.com
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