Oh my Lord - quite a visitor to our poolside this week - fact is, we live in an area called snake valley, so should not be surprised at slithery visitors, and indeed some are very welcome, as they are non poisonous and deal with any rat colonies which may wish to live alongside us. - However, - that said - when I found the larger part of this skin hanging down into a poolside nook, I was concerned!
Many thanks to my Cypriot friends who came forward with advice and help = is it a blunt nosed viper, in which case - BIG problem - or isn't it ? - Well needless to say I wasn't taking chances, especially when we have four little dogs, so with the assistance of dear friend Giorgos Michaelis ( George Michael as we fondly know him) to translate, We secured the services of Banicos, the snake man, who keeps a snake FARM ! in the village of Koukia. After examination by the expert, the conclusion was that this was a coin snake, and therefore harmless, and one which in fact we should cherish, as they help to keep the nasty bggrs away. It all did lead discussioto methods of keeping our property snake free, and Banicos can secure nets to the outside walls to stop them getting in - how clever! - strikes me, money well spent, as a bite from a venomous snake could kill one our dogs - our at the least require veterinary attention. -
I have learned some useful facts regarding snake bites and dogs - if the bite is on the neck it's likely that you only have half an hour for anti venom - on the leg, you have four hours. Having checked out snake bite kits, the jury appears to be out re effectiveness - basically, its a suction thing which draws the venom, and some more useful than others - great tip though - the stuff of films re sucking venom out, is a myth, and not to be advised ! - Anyway, a new learning curve and aspect to life in Kouklia.
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