Blunt-Nosed Viper in Our Swimming Pool "North Cyprus"

Navek



Joined: 01/06/2008
Posts: 2656

Message Posted:
05/08/2011 02:11

Woke up to find a Blunt-Nosed Viper in our swimming pool.

Not sure if it was in the pool last night, when I went for a quick dip to cool down,

in the dark, no lights on!

It was still alive, managed to fish it out with pool net & release it into the wild

Navek

Navek



Joined: 01/06/2008
Posts: 2656

Message Posted:
05/08/2011 02:12

"The Blunt Nosed Viper: The most dangerous snake on the island, it is extremely venomous and is so perfectly camouflaged that it’s very hard to spot, so be extra careful when walking. Loves swimming pools when the dry season is at its height. Get to a hospital fast if bitten. Found all over Cyprus"...

http://www.cyprusandmore.com/2008/08/snakes-in-cyprus/



No more late night dips for me, without the lights on.



Here are some photo's of it...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31705736@N06/6008297998/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31705736@N06/6007753239/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31705736@N06/6007754463/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31705736@N06/6009592969/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31705736@N06/6010143556/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31705736@N06/6010144960/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31705736@N06/6010146686/



Navek

Clarissa2


Joined: 12/06/2009
Posts: 1476

Message Posted:
05/08/2011 02:20

OMG!

Navek, I would be in a deep coma!

Did you ask it to pose for you?

fatelady


Joined: 31/01/2009
Posts: 61

Message Posted:
05/08/2011 02:33

OMG great pictures

Navek



Joined: 01/06/2008
Posts: 2656

Message Posted:
05/08/2011 02:35

Hi Clarissa2,

It was pretty docile, didn't seem fazed at all after it's rescue from the pool.

Showed it to all my neighbours, let them see a Blunt-Nosed Viper 1st hand.

Not one to be handled, ever!

Kept sticking it's tongue out at me though

Navek

moxie


Joined: 23/05/2009
Posts: 969

Message Posted:
05/08/2011 07:47

omg i feel sick, glad you released it though ! im never going into my pool at night again

simbas



Joined: 16/07/2007
Posts: 5943

Message Posted:
05/08/2011 07:54

God you were brave Kev , i would have been petrified , saw this clip on gmtv

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/world/8280109/snake-appears-on-moving-cars-windscreen

simbas

MrsSnakes



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 1100

Message Posted:
05/08/2011 08:13

Crikey Navek, amazing clear pictures, glad you saw it!

swyflot


Joined: 07/11/2008
Posts: 916

Message Posted:
05/08/2011 08:28

Super pictures......no more night time dips EVER

JohhnyLee


Joined: 25/04/2009
Posts: 2495

Message Posted:
05/08/2011 08:46

Yes excellent photo's, So I reckon it's lights on and check the pool first at night !



Our cat's brought home the remains of a snake a couple of days ago and proudly placed it on the mat, but they had bitten it's head off so couldn't really see what sort.



Navek you did well, I think many of us would have needed the toilet , not the camera.

TRNCVaughan


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 4578

Message Posted:
05/08/2011 08:51

I know they are protected but you should have killed it. If it comes back and bites you, you'll only have yourself to blame.

BoTanica


Joined: 22/12/2009
Posts: 714

Message Posted:
05/08/2011 08:58

Wonderful pictures! What an experience........



And well done for releasing it.

spud50


Joined: 02/05/2008
Posts: 213

Message Posted:
05/08/2011 09:00

my husband always moans when I want the pool lights on at night. I'll show him this picture - at least it's not an alligator!!!

pc4854


Joined: 23/08/2009
Posts: 243

Message Posted:
05/08/2011 09:06

I had one on my pool terrace last week, even though it is very quiet where I live, suddenly there was a deathly hush. I looked up and saw this snake sitting on the terrace and then I saw my three cats all sitting about 2 metres away on three sides of the snake. It was big. What to do? I grabbed my first cat and put it in the house as he was edging towards it and we have spent a lot of money and love on this cat. I went back and grabbed the second one but he was not expecting me to do this and he struggled to get away. I turned to look at the snake and as I had removed two thirds of it's danger, it went to escape. It went straight towards the pool and I thought to myself which way will it go around the pool but it didn't, it went straight across, walking on water and disappeared over the wall. So every one was happy and no one got hurt. As it swam over the pool, I could see it's length and I reckon it was one and a half metres long.

racoonchic



Joined: 17/11/2008
Posts: 3223

Message Posted:
05/08/2011 09:40

you bad man .. giving a snake cigarettes . xx

Tango1


Joined: 19/02/2011
Posts: 1151

Message Posted:
05/08/2011 09:50

Msg1. They are all over the place at the moment. We hade one about 5 weeks ago and it was well over a mtr in length with a body thickness, much larger than I've seen in years. Being sick, panicking, running around screaming like a headless chicken does no-one any good at all. With this heat they are looking for water, not you or your animals (unless they are provoked) Vaughan, killing them is not an Option. Gathering it up with the pool scooper is a good idea and letting it go in the wild is the thing to do. Sticking it's tongue out means it's "testing" the air, not necessarily a sign of attack. Thanks Navek for having the sense to release it.



T1

TRNCVaughan


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 4578

Message Posted:
05/08/2011 09:55

As an ex-seafarer I know that sharks are also protected. However, until the sharks start treating us humans as a protected species, they won't get any mileage out of me.

Same for poisonous snakes.

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
05/08/2011 10:13

'Your' BNPV has found a source of water - it'll be back!



This species hides, coiled up behind rocks and other objects and springs out at its prey - as they have poor vision, they are indiscriminate about their prey, which could be you, or a member of family, visitor - whomsoever!



Whilst I admire your principle, sometimes for your own safety pragmatism must be your priority, especially for the sake of others. Older people, asthma sufferers and small children are usually the ones to die from these snakes' bites.



Under the circumstances, unless you live alone, I would [regrettably] have to concur with Vaughan.

jock1



Joined: 06/01/2008
Posts: 3786

Message Posted:
05/08/2011 10:26

Blunt nosed viper- blue nosed swimmer....

tracy


Joined: 08/09/2007
Posts: 390

Message Posted:
05/08/2011 10:29

Oh my god, I would of been petrified

Tracy x

EssexPhil


Joined: 04/04/2011
Posts: 38

Message Posted:
05/08/2011 10:32

Not very nice . where do you live ?

dippersgirl



Joined: 04/05/2010
Posts: 795

Message Posted:
05/08/2011 12:01

I live in the country surounded by fields and I have only ever seen 2 black snakes and a dead grass snake. They must like it better in Girne. No swimming pools here.



Loved the pictures and I am also glad you did not kill it. They do not attack people unless threatened.

TRNCVaughan


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 4578

Message Posted:
05/08/2011 13:39

I imagine that most people who are bitten by snakes are not threatening them. I would say that snakes are accidentally trodden on/disturbed and are surprised and they bite as a reflex.

In other words it's not their fault, but it's not a sharks fault that he eats you either.

Frankly, I wouldn't give either a chance to do what comes naturally.

What ever happened to wildlife avoiding civilization/built-up areas?

bigOz


Joined: 29/09/2010
Posts: 1244

Message Posted:
05/08/2011 13:50

I agree fully with TRNCVaughn; It is not like they are endangered species here! I am really upset that anyone would set loose a venomous snake, so that it might bite someone else when having a quiet dip. If I met a snake as such, the same will happen as it always did in the past; I will not wait to see if it is hostile or not, one of us has to die!

martinD41


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 3001

Message Posted:
05/08/2011 14:00

Big oz ,snakes are one thing,but look at this poor sod... http://uk.news.yahoo.com/british-tourist-killed-polar-bear-094654991.html

bigOz


Joined: 29/09/2010
Posts: 1244

Message Posted:
05/08/2011 14:17

martinD41; At least the polar bear did not climb over the fence for a dip in the pool, before eating the residents.

The last thing we need for the ailing tourist industry in Cyprus is to have the ITV report: "British tourist killed by a Blunt Nosed Snake!"

deputydawg


Joined: 30/03/2010
Posts: 1727

Message Posted:
05/08/2011 15:12

Having once shared a swimming pool with a rattlesnake (thankfully only for the time it took to become aware of it and exit the pool at exocet missile speed) I always check for uninvited swimmers each and every time I use a pool. The trauma was such that my fear extends to checking wellington boots and footwear before use, garden sheds, and pump rooms etc. The person with the overdeveloped sense of humour who put an octopus in the bottom of my bed did nothing to improve my phobias regarding being confronted by "nasties"

beachsidebum


Joined: 02/03/2010
Posts: 425

Message Posted:
05/08/2011 15:20

Nice one Kev....

magicart


Joined: 05/10/2008
Posts: 985

Message Posted:
05/08/2011 16:44

Navek,



You put me to shame.



I would have sent the wife out to sort it!!



Are sure it was a BNV and not a PUFF ADDER!!



Great posting.



Art.

jfoggy


Joined: 23/12/2006
Posts: 260

Message Posted:
05/08/2011 18:17

OMG....I would have run a mile...all snakes give me the creeps, especially this sort! You did well to remove it the way you did. Just hope it doesn't return!

0maintenance


Joined: 22/09/2010
Posts: 2179

Message Posted:
05/08/2011 18:24

Navek.



Thats the beauty of a zerochlor pool



Even the snakes love it !



Happy chlorine free swimming folks



http://www.zerochlor.co.uk

magicart


Joined: 05/10/2008
Posts: 985

Message Posted:
05/08/2011 19:32

Next time you think about having a 4m Sky Dish installed next to your bedroom think about how the BSV would love to share your airconed room.



It might even give you a nighty night kiss.



O'h sorry wrong posting-wrong topic!!.



I do apologise .

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
05/08/2011 22:19

Zero,

Navek's pool is definitely not chlorine free but nice try...

0maintenance


Joined: 22/09/2010
Posts: 2179

Message Posted:
05/08/2011 22:24

Thats strange.



He was in my shop today having a whisky with me and took 2 bottles of zerochlor,maybe its to go with his tonic

briggus


Joined: 25/07/2007
Posts: 161

Message Posted:
05/08/2011 23:02

Mes 22 Hi Dippers girl saw a smaller one very similiar to this last September 2010 on the road going down to the Malibu Hotel - so it looks like they are not not just taking up residence in Girne.



Regards



Briggus

Navek



Joined: 01/06/2008
Posts: 2656

Message Posted:
06/08/2011 08:59

Hi Folks,

Went for a swim after dark last night, with poolside lights on.

There were no sign of any snakes.



With the lights on, for a change, I could see the bats etc flying near the pool.

With a bit of luck, this was a one off incident.



The main reason I posted this topic,

was to warn others of the possibility of snakes etc being in a pool at night.

Not to scare anyone from taking a dip after dark.



Better safe than sorry

Navek

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
06/08/2011 09:43

Whether this is an 'old wives' tale', or not, this is what the local villagers told me many years ago:



Hornets and wasps go straight for the head of any dead snake and while eating the meat, ingest that particular snake's venom, without it harming them. However, when the hornet, or wasp, stings you, it will make you extremely ill. Therefore, their advice was to cut the head off any poisonous snake you have killed, or found, and bury the head well, so the hornets and wasps cannot get to it.



I can tell you from frequent past experience that both the 'Blunt-nosed viper' and 'Montpelier' snakes will stand their ground if disturbed!

bobat5


Joined: 23/03/2011
Posts: 40

Message Posted:
06/08/2011 16:50

hssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

moxie


Joined: 23/05/2009
Posts: 969

Message Posted:
07/08/2011 08:41

although i detest snakes i think that maybe if we all killed snakes,, as do all the locals we may disrupt the eco balance of nature?,ive never swam in the sea since Jaws ...god forbid i find a snake in the pool !!!!

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
07/08/2011 10:06

'I tort I taw a wiggly snake a queeping up on me.......... !'



[Borrowed from: 'I tort I taw a puddy cat......' !!!]



Humble apologies, all you 'snake-o-phobics' - I just couldn't resist it!!!

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
07/08/2011 10:41

Here's a bit of Sunday enjoyment [petaining to Msg 40]!



Nostalgic for some - equally entertaining for the uninitiated!



http://www.squidoo.com/tweetie

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
07/08/2011 12:47

Re. spelling 'boo-boo' in Msg 41 - should have been 'pertaining' - an error caused by the combination of the heat and humidity causing the brain to go to 'half-mast', or the keyboard going on strike in protest!

millwallmik


Joined: 15/03/2009
Posts: 153

Message Posted:
07/08/2011 14:04

i bet the blunt nosed viper shat hiself when he saw a blunt nosed irishman in his pool,

i'm out there in two week's kev catch up for a beer or twenty two

Riddles


Joined: 26/04/2011
Posts: 429

Message Posted:
07/08/2011 17:27

However, 'The Snake' is a favourite of all Northern Soul fans!

briggus


Joined: 25/07/2007
Posts: 161

Message Posted:
07/08/2011 17:39

Message 44 - not all - popular yes

Navek



Joined: 01/06/2008
Posts: 2656

Message Posted:
07/08/2011 22:11

Hi millwallmik,

Next see you sober, I'll remind you I not Irish.

Not that there's much chance of anyone catching you sober

Navek

Navek



Joined: 01/06/2008
Posts: 2656

Message Posted:
08/08/2011 02:54

Hi millwallmik,



Next time I see you sober, I'll remind you I'm not Irish.



Not that there's much chance of anyone catching you sober ))



Navek

millwallmik


Joined: 15/03/2009
Posts: 153

Message Posted:
12/08/2011 12:16

hello mate over in two week's,where you been going sirhat's or king's

niftyduo


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 230

Message Posted:
12/08/2011 14:16

The blunt nose viper has a slow acting venom so it does give time to get to hospital, it took us about 1 hour 30min to get treatment. 4 days in hospital sorted the problem and another couple of weeks rest to allow the swelling to disappear. The side problems are bacterial infection and necrosis. The hospital treatment might have been overkill but it worked totally.

cyprusairsoft



Joined: 22/06/2009
Posts: 2066

Message Posted:
12/08/2011 14:26

seeif ican find the blunt nose viper that was in my friends garden it was a wopper