Since Cyprus is an island, it would be expected that only a few species of reptiles would be present. But this is not the case, for the environment of Cyprus boasts 22 different reptile species, some of which have evolved into endemic species and subspecies. The presence of many snakes and other reptiles in Cyprus was known

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from ancient times. The story of St. Helen, who brought a shipload of cats to the island in an attempt to control the number of poisonous snakes which proliferated after a long period of serious drought, is well known.

Burnt snake bones were found among the bones of birds and pigmy hippos that have been recently exca- vated at the "Asprokremmos" area of Akrotiri Peninsula. This fact suggests that snakes were a food source for humans that lived on Cyprus around 8.500 B.C.

Another indication that snakes have been widespread on Cyprus comes from the Italian priest Giovanni Mariti, who lived on the island from 1760 to 1767. In his extensive work "Viaggi per l' isola di Cipro", Mariti mentions the following: "There is a black snake, usually five to six feet long. It is not poisonous and you can hold it in your hands. Occasionally people skin the snake and cook the meat, which is considered to be a delica- cy".'

From the 22 known reptile species of Cyprus, 11 are lizards, three are turtles, and eight are snakes. These eight snake species have colonized almost every corner of the island. The Blind Wormsnake (Typhlops vermicularis) lives underground, while the Grass Snake (Natrix natrix) lives in and around reservoirs, stream pools and other wetlands. The remaining six species live all over the island, from the coast to the mountains. One species, the Cyprus Whip-snake (Coluber cypriensis), is endemic and extremely rare, thus it is highly endangered, and should be effectively protected.

Three snake species are poisonous:

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Cyprus Cat Snake (Telescopus fallax cyprianus) A slender snake with vertical cat-like pupils. Mainly hunts at twilight and feeds almost entirely on lizards. Poisonous - Unlikely to dangerous to man.

The Cyprus Catsnake ( Telescopus fallax cyprianus), the Montpellier Snake (Malponon monspessulanus inisgnitus), and the Blunt--nosed Viper (Vipera lebetina lebetina). The venom of the last species is highly dangerous for humans, and bites from this viper can often be lethal. The other two species have a rather weak venom that usually causes little trouble to humans.

Snakes and humans

In the food pyramid, snakes are considered to be third class consumers, that is they simultaneously are prey of higher consumers like mammals, birds, and humans. The role of snakes in the environment is extremely important, for they are a major means of control of destructive rodents. This is the very reason why many farmers from the Morphou area used to buy (before 1974) from villagers of the Mesaoria plain Large European Whipsnakes (known in Cyprus as "Black Snakes", Coluber jugularis), which were then set free in their fields and farms to control the population of mice and rats. This is the reason why this species is also known as "Farmers Snake". In general, the snakes of Cyprus are rather calm creatures that attack humans only if and when provoked, and thus feel threatened.

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Living links with the island's dawn | Frogs | Snakes | Lizards | Turtles By Andreas Demetropoulos
Snakes Of Cyprus | Snakes Of Cyprus | Snake Species in Cyprus | Reptiles of Cyprus.By Antonis L. Antoniou