Snakes make their appearance during the summer months, in search of water and food. But how much should we fear them, and which of the species found in Cyprus are truly dangerous?
Speaking on the show “Alpha Summer,” the Biodiversity Officer of the Department of Forests, Haris Nikolaou, stated that there are eight different species of snakes in Cyprus—a large number, he noted, relative to the island’s size. Of these species, the only one that is dangerous is the viper (fina).
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Regarding the video that went viral online, which shows two snakes on Protaras Beach, he noted that they are called “therka.” He explained that this particular species is harmless to humans since it is not venomous.
He added that the video shows two male snakes “fighting” over territory and that the “winner” will mate with the female snake.
Mr. Nikolaou noted that these particular snakes are much more afraid of humans than humans are of them.
“There is no snake in the world that would attack a human without provocation,” he stated emphatically.
He explained, among other things, that during the summer, snakes need water, which is why they often come near swimming pools or watered lawns—either because they want to “quench their thirst” or because they are looking for food.
He emphasized that, in their attempt to escape from humans, snakes make sudden movements that can be interpreted by humans as a threat—something which, as he points out, is a myth.
