Blunt-nosed Viper is no doubt a potent snake but I doubt there are that many fatalities per year in Cyprus. They are quite a different looking beast being an ambush predator.
I thought the Whips snakes were constrictors?Found all over the island and the only constricting snake present on Cyprus!
Shane
I was on a walk last Saturday with other Birdlife Cyprus members and one of them, Peter was bitten by a very big B-n V, through his golf shoe a couple of years ago. The tissue damage to his foot, was still, very apparent all this time later.Thanks guys!….an “expert” told me that it was a common Blunt-nosed Viper in a very matter of fact way, and that the bite was fatal with circa 30-40 fatalities each year.
(wonder if he offers advice on BF?)
Needless to say from there on in…I continued my “hunting” on stoney paths, avoiding the long grass on his recommendation!😮
He clearly had a sense of humour/stringy..Bastard!
No, it's not a constrictor but instead grabs large prey which it forces against the ground to cause asphyxiation. Incidentaly, Blunt-nosed Vipers are on its list of prey!I thought the Whips snakes were constrictors?
Earlier this month, an unfortunate holiday maker from Shropshire was bitten by a Blunt-nosed Viper in the grounds of her Paphos hotel, she spent 4 days in the hospital ICU!Thanks guys!….an “expert” told me that it was a common Blunt-nosed Viper in a very matter of fact way, and that the bite was fatal with circa 30-40 fatalities each year.
(wonder if he offers advice on BF?)
Needless to say from there on in…I continued my “hunting” on stoney paths, avoiding the long grass on his recommendation!😮
He clearly had a sense of humour/stringy..Bastard!
I knew that but thought I'd read they constricted them.No, it's not a constrictor but instead grabs large prey which it forces against the ground to cause asphyxiation. Incidentaly, Blunt-nosed Vipers are on its list of prey!