Snakes in Cyprus, Emergencies

This is a serious character and one you should treat with respect

The snake is a viper (Vipera Lebetina). It can measure 1.3 – 1.8 metres and has a thick body with a large, wide, triangular head.  The colouring is a dull grey/brownish grey.

Around 20 attacks on humans are registered in Cyprus on average every year, but there has not been a single fatal case in the last 15 years.

The snake is active from March to November and it can be found in the mountains and near water, where is likes to hunt for birds and small rodents and seek refuge from the summer heat.

A human being is too large a prey for a snake so they will only attack if they have good reason, usually as an act of self defence, and if a human approaches its area it will hiss a warning.

The blunt-nosed viper’s poison has a manifested hemolytic action, which means when it’s in the bloodstream it destroys erythrocytes by affecting the vascular walls, causing the blood to coagulate.  This is part of the reason why a tourniquet cannot be applied as it increases the possibility of gangrene.  In case of a bite you should deliver the affected person to hospital as soon as possible.

Napa Olympic Private Hospital emergency services work 24hours a day, 365 Days a year. In case of a bite try and tie above the bitten area towards the body to minimise the blood flow and rush to the hospital or contact our Ambulance.