Mind the snakes - Warning today in Paphos Press...

[cyprusmax47]

There is a Snake warning today in Paphos Press, where one Guy killed one near Asprokremnos Dam.
Mind when you are out in the fields now there are already hungry snakes and you will not see them as there is so much vegetation now. Is different in Summer when they hide only near wet places and one can see things. Be specially careful near caper bushes, you sure
know the pretty white flowers on them, one of the nicest plants in Cyprus. But only the Blunt Nose Viper is really dangerous and black snakes do not any harm, they are actually good if you have them around as they chase away the poisonous ones and are after rats and mice...

http://pafospress.com/%cf%80%ce%b1%cf%8 ... %80%cf%81/
Max

[LouiseCastricum]

But why KILL the snakes. Wear proper boots and stay on paths. Also the vipers are after rats and mice. Absolutely not needed to kill the snakes.

[cyprusmax47]

Cypriots are just scared. It would need more education like Snake George did when he run the Reptile Park at Peyia. And they are proud coming home to
tell everybody that they killed a snake.
Max

[Dominic]

In fairness to the Cypriots, they only seem to want to kill the poisonous ones.

[bmwx5]

The only good snake is a dead snake ,, seems to be a common philosophy amongst many not just on this island. For me it's leave well alone they will go away from confrontation unless cornered or aggravated ,,, if walking in grass or vegetation have a stick handy and sweep or tap the ground as you walk chances are any snake will have left upon first sense of any human presence.
Seen this first hand whilst on the golf course when looking for wayward shots in the rough , many a time a snake has shot off when the bush or grass has been disturbed by a player with his club or foot...mostly black whip snakes with the occasional BNV...
As the OP says it is the time of year they are becoming more active after the colder months so caution is required,,,,

[PhotoLady]

I was walking a friend's dog some years ago above Limassol.

The Goat Man who I used to see most days came driving past me shouting very loudly out of his cab window. He got ahead of his herd and me then leaped out of his cab, proceeding to bash something I couldn't see.

He killed a blunt nose that day and showed me the snake. It was just off the pathway where I was heading with the dog and also the route his goats were going too. I don't know if he was warning me or his herd or even all of us.... But I don't like to think what may have happened if he hadn't been there that day.

[WHL]

Id rather take my chance with a rat, then a dangerous snake, I dont have a problem if someone kills it. the same way I would stamp on a cockroach if I see one in the house or garden.

[Ramone]

As much as I enjoy the wild life here I killed a BNV in our garden 2 years ago.
It was laid in the grass & as I have two dogs I'm afraid it had to go.
We see a few whip snakes each year which I don't have a problem with.

[WHL]

Agree with you, many years ago, I saw a poisonous snake in our garden, i put the two dogs inside, and picked up a garden spade that was near by , the snake had gone in the corner against the kitchen wall, as I approached it, it lifted its head upright, which gave me the chance to slam the spade into it cutting its head clean off, you dont let poisonous snakes off where there are children and others about...

[Firefly]

WHL Stamping on a cockroach I always thought was a no-no. They carry their eggs under their wings, or so I was told.

Jackie

[WHL]

Natural reaction, when I see one whizz past.

[Firefly]

WHL

Our cat used to catch them and flick them over onto their backs, OH had to deal with them then. Best option a glue trap specially for cockroaches, they're enclosed enough so that no other species can get in and come to harm, and they do work.

[bmwx5]

WHL
Presume when you state poisonous you can verify it was a BNV ?

[bromerzz]

Having been bitten by a Blunt Nosed Viper I can assure you all its not a pleasant experience. Cant say I'm scared of them but just wary when looking for golf balls.

[Dominic]

WHL
Presume when you state poisonous you can verify it was a BNV ?

Most people would err on the side of caution.

[WHL]

WHL
Presume when you state poisonous you can verify it was a BNV ?

Yes it was nasty evil looking thing...thank God it was upright against the wall so the spade made a clean cut.

[WHL]

WHL

Our cat used to catch them and flick them over onto their backs, OH had to deal with them then. Best option a glue trap specially for cockroaches, they're enclosed enough so that no other species can get in and come to harm, and they do work.

To be honest, we dont see many as I put solution down the drains, twice a year, but if I see one, it gets my size elevens on it pronto.