On Thursday, the Herpetological Society of Cyprus appealed to the people of the country not to kill snakes, but to protect them. As they are very important for the natural containment of rodents and locusts.

There are now eight species of snakes in Cyprus, and the poisonous blunt-nosed viper (macrovipera lebetina) is the only one that poses a danger to humans. “Its poison consists of various proteins that have a hemolytic effect, that is, the poison destroys the red blood cells and the walls of blood vessels and makes the blood clot”.

According to herpetologists, some snake species in Cyprus are protected by the European Directive on the Protection of Natural Habitats and national legislation, which punishes the capture and killing of snakes.
All snake species in Cyprus are also protected by the Bern Convention for the Protection of European Wild Fauna and Flora and Natural Habitats.

Specialists on flake reptiles assure that no snake will attack man first unless it is provoked. It is not necessary to try to catch or kill the snake and it is better to avoid walking in thick grass, not to stick your hands in the bushes or under rocks.

Herpetologists also advise to remove anything that can be used as a shelter by snakes from their homes, and to make sure that there is no food left anywhere that could attract rodents, followed by snakes.

“The balance in nature depends on the conservation of all organisms, including reptiles,” stresses the Herpetological Society. “Everyone’s contribution to the conservation of all species is necessary – by protecting the fauna of the island, people benefit themselves.

Source: CyprusMail