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If you’re heading out for a springtime walk along Cyprus' country roads or trails, keep your eyes peeled and your cool. A recent spike in viper sightings has prompted fresh warnings from experts, especially as more people take to nature during the warmer months.
A video making the rounds on social media shows a walker on a dirt path freezing in place as a viper slithers past. The snake isn’t aggressive—just going about its business. And that’s exactly the point, say herpetologists and officials from the Forestry Department: don’t panic, don’t provoke, and definitely don’t attack.
Snake sightings are becoming more common...even near villages. Reptile specialists say ongoing drought conditions are driving snakes to roam further in search of food and water.
“Snakes don’t lie in wait for humans,” experts explain. “They only strike if they feel threatened. So stay calm, keep your distance, and let them move along.”
Environmentalists are also jumping in to defend Cyprus’ often-misunderstood vipers. While venomous and potentially dangerous if bitten, these snakes play an essential role in the ecosystem—mainly by keeping rodent populations in check. Calls to “leave them alone” are being repeated across social platforms this spring, urging walkers not to kill snakes on sight.
Still, the debate rages online. Some users argue that anything venomous poses too great a risk to ignore, especially when children or pets are nearby. The “kill or coexist” conversation is alive and well—and far from settled.
Experts remind the public that viper bites, while rare, require immediate medical attention. If you’re planning a countryside walk, take precautions: wear high, closed shoes and long trousers. Avoid reaching into bushes or under rocks, and always stay aware of your surroundings.
Why more sightings now?
Snake sightings are becoming more common not just in forests or fields, but even near villages. Reptile specialists say ongoing drought conditions are driving snakes to roam further in search of food and water.
So if you're out and about in Cyprus this season, especially around rural paths, consider this your heads-up: the snakes are out, but they don’t want trouble. Just give them space, and both of you will go your separate ways.
