Paphos Life

Had a panicked call from partner saying there was a snake in the house. Drove back from Pjhilippos like a lunatic. Snake was trying to get out thankfully. Having 2 dogs I was very concerned so I didn't get a good look at it. My questions are, do vipers move fairly quickly? Also, are their markings very distinct? This one had very black spots all over and was moving quite fast out of the house. I am really hoping it was a cat snake. Sorry to be a bit vague but I wasn't thinking quickly enough to grab phone for a photo of it, hence trying to get any info. Thanks for any help!

It doesn’t sound like a viper, they don’t usually move quickly and are a distinctive shape, if you see the head with the blunt nose. A thicker shortish body leads to a narrow tail. They are not spotted, but have a distinct pattern along the back.
If you haven’t got flyscreens, it might be a moment to consider getting one fitted to french windows.. they prevent all sorts of ‘beasties’ getting access to inside the house, not just flies..
Dee

Thanks Dee. I do have screens but tend to leave them open so the dogs can wander in and out. It didn't look like a viper, long thinnish body and moving quickly, trying to get away from me and dogs. The markings were lovely on it. Poor thing got stick between screen and patio door when i opened it, which resulted in lots of hissing ( the snake not me!)

Difficult to say what you had without a photo so I've included a link to show photos of snakes found in Cyprus https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=cypru ... 66&bih=651!


Shane

Thanks Shane, I did look at photos and think it was a cat snake

Not a nice experience for you, this happened to a friend of mine, and it was a viper, they tried to remove it with a broom, but the situation was becoming dangerous, it was dispatched by her OH, needs must sadly.

Jackie

Sorry, but this thread title keeps making me think it would be the crappiest film title ever.

Nope Dominic. . . . . . .for me . . . . . This thread, right from the title, was ALL about a snake in the living room!

The exclamation mark was the clue for me.

MB

I think Dom was eluding to the film "Snake On A Plane" but I may be wrong!


Shane

Yep, I thought that too Shane.

I just dont have a sense of humour where snakes are concerned!

MB

We get a lot of snakes around our place and had a BNV trying to get into the kitchen last week. We put snake powder down by all doors and windows which tends to keep them away though I think the long dry summer has driven them closer to properties looking for drinking water.
Jim

ApusApus wrote: ↑Mon Oct 15, 2018 10:50 pm I think Dom was eluding to the film "Snake On A Plane" but I may be wrong!


Shane

No, you were right.

My cat brought a baby snake into the kitchen door recently, I was well impressed - not! Luckily it was still near the open door, bravely standing up to Sushi and hissing madly, and I was able to easily sweep it outside. Not sure what would have happened if it had gone the other way and hidden under a sofa or something.

I believe the Cyprus Herpetological Society will come out and collect snakes from your house/garden. I follow them on Facebook, it's quite interesting - https://www.facebook.com/CyHerpSo/ Like I hadn't realised that harmless baby whip snakes were not black like the adults and instead are camouflaged so that many of us would worry they were vipers.