A resident of Cyprus released a video and photograph that clearly shows a snake - most likely a finna, one of the common species on the island - moving freely near a reservoir in the Dherynia area.
The footage caused both admiration and alarm, because at this time of year reptiles usually go into hiding, reducing activity for the winter period.
However, the prolonged warm weather and increased humidity of recent weeks on the island are creating conditions under which the snakes remain active longer. According to Cypriot biologists, due to the unstable climate, cases of encounters with reptiles in late autumn began to be recorded more and more often, especially near water sources and in low-lying areas of Paphos.
Of additional concern is that hunting season is currently underway. The author of the video emphasizes: hunters should be especially careful and under no circumstances harm snakes when meeting them. This is not only an ethical requirement, but also a legal requirement - most species, including the fin fish, are protected and play an important role in the local ecosystem by controlling the rodent population.
Environmentalists remind that when meeting a snake, it is important to keep your distance and not try to drive it away or attack it. Reptiles in Cyprus tend to avoid contact with humans and only become aggressive when threatened.
Despite the calendar “winter”, Cypriot nature lives by its own laws, and the warm climate is increasingly making adjustments to the usual seasonality. Therefore, encounters with wildlife inhabitants, which are not typical for the end of November, are becoming the new norm - and require respect and awareness from people.
Source: omegalive.com.cy
