THE
SNAKES OF SAMOS
CONTENT GENERAL INFORMATION HOW TO TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN VENOMOUS AND NONVENOMOUS SNAKES? LIST OF SNAKE SPECIES ON SAMOS, GREECE Non-venomous snakes venomous snakes
SNAKES OF SAMOS, GREECE HOW DO SNAKES BENEFIT YOU, ME, AND THE COMMUNITY? FUN FACTS ABOUT SNAKES SNAKE MYTHS AND THEIR ACTUAL FACTS WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU SEE A SNAKE!
Illustrations by G.Cairo, C.Zananaini, X.Schaeken GIS by Mengyi Chen Lay-out by X.Schaeken Text by B. Gross
THE DO’S AND DONT’S IF YOU GET BITTEN BY A SNAKE
GENERAL INFORMATION What is a reptile? A reptile is an ectothermic (“cold-blooded”) animal that is comprised of the following groups of animals: lizards, turtles and tortoises, crocodilians, and lastly snakes. Snakes have evolved over millions of years ago from lizards. Unlike lizards, snakes lack legs, a movable eye-lid, and an outer ear.
Snakes are found on every continent except Antarctica and can be found in almost every type of habitat possible. There are over 2,700 species of snakes in the world, but only 11 species of snakes live in Samos, Greece. Of the 11 snake species on Samos, 10 of which are considered non-venomous (“harmless to humans”) and 1 snake which is venomous (“dangerous”).
HOW TO TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN VENOMOUS AND NON-VENOMOUS SNAKES? There are several rules that you can general use to help determine what a venomous snake is and a non-venomous snake. Some of these rules do have exceptions to them, but we will cover them as we go though each rule.
non-venomous
non-venomous
RULE #3 Venomous snakes locate their prey by using heat-sensitive pit sensors that are generally located between the eye and nostril of the snake. Nonvenomous snakes lack this feature.
venomous
RULE #4
RULE #1 One of the most distinctive features of venomous snakes is that they have triangular-shaped heads, where as non-venomous snakes species do NOT. The triangular-shaped heads of these venomous snakes are due to the venom glands that are located at the back of the head.
venomous
RULE #1: Coral snakes do NOT have a triangular-shaped head. Coral snakes inhabit North and South America and do
non-venomous
NOT occur in Greece.
non-venomous
venomous
RULE #2: The following venomous snakes have round pupils, but are NOT located in Greece: King Cobra, Black Mamba, and the Taipan.
RULE #2
RULE #5
Pay close attention to the eyes of the snakes. Most venomous snakes have vertical eye slits, like a cat verses a round pupil found in most non-venomous snakes. There is one species, the European Cat-eyed snake (Telescopus fallax) that has a weak venom but is NOT harmful to humans.
Snakes that have fangs will leave a bite mark with two close-set punctures, whereas a snake that is NOT venomous will have more of a ragged bite mark left behind.
Exceptions Rule #1 & Rule #2
venomous
If you happen to find a snake swimming in the water, pay close attention to how it is swimming. If the entire body is submerged under the water except the head, then it is non-venomous. If 2/3 or more of the snake’s body is on the surface of the water, then it is most likely to be venomous.
LIST OF SNAKE SPECIES ON SAMOS, GREECE NON VENOMOUS Common Name: Leopard Snake Scientific Name: Eryx jaculus
Common Name: Sand Boa Scientific Name: Eryx jaculus
Common Name: Grass Snake Scientific Name: Zamenis situla
Common Name: Large Whip Snake Scientific Name: Dolichophis caspius
Common Name: Eastern Montpellier Snake Scientific Name: Malpolon insignitus
Common Name: Dwarf Snake Scientific Name: Eirenis modestus
Common Name: Worm Snake Scientific Name: Typhlops vermicularis
VENOMOUS Common Name: Coin-marked Snake Scientific Name: Hemorrhois nummifer
Common Name: Dahl’s Whip Snake Scientific Name: Platyceps najadum
Common Name: European Cat-eyed Snake Scientific Name: Telescopus fallax
Common Name: Ottoman Viper Scientific Name: Montivipera xanthina Male Female
SNAKES OF SAMOS, GREECE SAND BOA
LARGE WHIP SNAKE
Common Name: Sand Boa
Common Name: Large Whip Snake
Scientific Name: Eryx jaculus
Length:
Diet:
May grow up to 80cm in total length. Reproduction:
Consists of small mammals, lizards, birds and occasionally some invertebrates like slugs.
Length: Grows up to 140-160cm in length. Record size is 250cm. Reproduction:
The Sand Boa is ovoviviparous (give live birth from eggs that are hatched from within the snake) with 5-20 offspring at a time.
*A box with a check = harmless* *A box with a X = dangerous*
These snakes lay eggs and hatch outside of the body (oviparous).
Scientific Name: Dolichophis caspius
Diet: includes small mammals like rats, lizards, birds, and other snakes. Because of its ability to consume mammals which could harm agricultural crops, it’s valued as a natural pest control.
SNAKES OF SAMOS, GREECE DWARF SNAKE
Common Name: Dwarf Snake
COIN-MARKED SNAKE
Scientific Name: Eirenis modestus
Length:
Common Name: Coin-marked Snake
Diet:
Can reach up to a maximum length of 60cm.
Small mammals and lizards make up the main diet.
Length: This species can reach up to a length of 150cm, possibly more.
Reproduction:
Reproduction:
Breeding takes place during the summer and the female will lay anywhere from 3-8 eggs.
Females will lay 4-10 eggs in the spring time (March-May).
*A box with a check = harmless* *A box with a X = dangerous*
Scientific Name: Hemorrhois nummifer
Diet: They consume rodents, small birds and lizards.
SNAKES OF SAMOS, GREECE DAHL’S WHIP SNAKE
Common Name: Dahl’s Whip Snake
EUROPEAN CAT-EYED SNAKE
Scientific Name: Platyceps najadum
Length:
Diet:
The total length that this snake can reach is up to 135cm, but the average is generally less than 135cm.
Small mammals and lizards make up the main diet.
Reproduction:
Common Name: European Cat-eyed Snake
Length: Up to 100cm in total length. Reproduction: Females will generally lay 5-9 eggs during the middle of August.
Breeding occurs during the spring and the females will lay 3-16 eggs in the summer. *A box with a check = harmless* *A box with a X = dangerous*
Scientific Name: Telescopus fallax
*Caution*: This snake is considered to be a rearfanged snake and is known to have weak venom to humans if bitten. The bite may cause some irritation, redness, and some swelling, but will NOT kill you! Diet: Will hunt for rodents and lizards.
SNAKES OF SAMOS, GREECE LEOPARD SNAKE
Common Name: Leopard Snake
GRASS SNAKE
Scientific Name: Zamenis situla
Length:
Common Name: Grass Snake
Diet:
Usual length can be reached up to 120cm.
Feeds predominately on rodents, but will also eat lizards and small birds.
Reproduction: The females tend to breed in late spring and will lay 2-8 eggs every other year.
Length: Can range from less than 100cm up to 2m in length. Males are smaller than the females. Reproduction: Dependent on the size of the female,can lay anywhere from 2-100 eggs and the eggs will hatch 2 months later.
*A box with a check = harmless* *A box with a X = dangerous*
Scientific Name: Natrix natrix
Diet: Eats amphibians, fish, rodents, invertebrates, birds, and other reptiles.
SNAKES OF SAMOS, GREECE EASTERN MONTPELLIER SNAKE
WORM SNAKE
Common Name: Eastern Montpellier Snake
Scientific Name: Malpolon insignitus
Length:
Diet:
This snake species can rarely reach 240cm in length, but an average of 200cm.
Feeds mainly on lizards, but will also go for other snakes, rodents, amphibians, and birds.
Common Name: Worm Snake
Length: Worm Snakes will not get any longer than 30cm on average, but the total length on record is 40cm.
Reproduction: Reproduction: The breeding season takes place from April to May and could lay up to 20 eggs. The eggs will hatch near the end of July to early August. *A box with a check = harmless* *A box with a X = dangerous*
The female Worm Snake can lay as few as 4 to 11 eggs.
Scientific Name: Typhlops vermicularis
Diet: Will mostly go for small invertebrates.
SNAKES OF SAMOS, GREECE OTTOMAN VIPER
Common Name: Ottoman Viper
Scientific Name: Montivipera xanthina
OTTOMAN VIPER
Length:
Diet:
Total length can be reached up to 120cm.
Will feed on mostly small mammals and birds.
Reproduction: The species starts breeding in the spring time and will give live birth to 2-15 offspring.
*A box with a check = harmless* *A box with a X = dangerous*
HOW DO SNAKES BENEFIT YOU, ME AND THE COMMUNITY? Snakes play an important role in the natural ecosystem. How? Snakes eat rodents and other animals that may be considered as pests. They help control these populations that could potential transmit diseases to humans. Snakes keep the pest populations down in size.Without the snakes, the rodent populations would dramatically increase causing
many problems to our crops, our fields, our food resources, and to our safety. Snakes are adapting to live with us on a daily basis. Some snakes in Samos are under threat due to land clearing for agricultural use, urban development, domestic pets and the fear and misconception of the community.
FUN FACTS ABOUT SNAKES •
Snakes can go up to several months without a meal.
•
The sizes of snakes vary with the Barbados Thread Snake being the smallest (10cm) to the Reticulated Python that can reach lengths up to 9m, making it the longest snake in the world.
•
•
The Green Anaconda is the heaviest known snake in the world, weighing up to 250 kg.
Snakes can either lay eggs or give live birth, or can hatch the eggs with the body and give live birth, all depending upon the species of snake you are looking at.
•
Snakes taste odors in the air by using the Jacobson’s organ.
Barbados Thread Snake
Albino Reticulated Python
SNAKE MYTHS AND THEIR ACTUAL FACTS: MYTH #1: ANGRY SNAKES CAN CHASE PEOPLE WHO GET TOO CLOSE!
MYTH #4: PEOPLE BRING SNAKES AND RELEASE THEM ALL OVER THE ISLAND
FACT #1:
FACT #4:
Like you, the snake is also frightened and has the natural instinct to want to run away from you as quickly as possible. If the snake is cornered and going through you is the best way to try to escape, but if it can’t get away it will get defensive and start striking at you.
Snakes have occurred on these islands before we have inhabitated them. No one has the funds and the time to breed, raise, transport, and finally release all the snakes on the island to scare people. Herpetologists, (scientists that study reptiles and amphibians) do come to these islands to study them by taking measurements and DNA samples to get a better understanding of the population. So in other words, they come to these islands that are already inhabited by snakes to study them and then release them.
MYTH #2: SNAKES DRINK MILK! FACT #2: Snakes drink water and NOT milk. Reptiles have no association with mammary glands and or with milk in general. If they do get really dehydrated, they may drink any liquid that is available to them.
MYTH #3: SNAKES REMEMBER YOU IF YOU HURT THEM! FACT #3: Snakes do NOT seek revenge and do NOT have the level of intelligence to remember such things as people’s faces.
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU SEE A SNAKE!
THE DO’S AND DONT’S IF YOU GET BITTEN BY A SNAKE THE DO’S:
Best
The thing to do is to leave the snake alone. As long as you don’t mess with it, it won’t mess with you!
• Do NOT try to catch the snake. If you can’t identify the snake, then it is best to NOT take the risk!
If you can use this guide, try to identify the snake. Once you can identify the snake, please contact: Anastasia Miliou, Scientific Director by email a.miliou@archipelago.gr or by Tel: +30 22730-61191 / 61147
•
Do NOT kill a snake! Do NOT run over a snake, if you can avoid it. We need the snake’s help to control the pest population. If you find a snake dead on the road and you can safely pick it up and bring it to the Archipelagos base so that we may collect data on the snake for an ongoing herptefauana survey and for future research projects Archipelagos address: P.O. Box 42 Pythagorio 83 103 Samos, Greece
•
If you have any questions or concerns about a snake, please contact: Anastasia Miliou, Scientific Director by email a.miliou@archipelago.gr or by Tel: +30 22730-61191 / 61147
Keep calm. Restrict movement, and keep the affected area below heart level. Remove any rings or constricting items because the affected area may swell. Create a loose splint to help restrict movement of the area.
Monitor the person’s vital signs -temperature, pulse, rate of breathing, and blood pressure if possible.
•
Get medical help right away.
•
Bring in the dead snake only if this can be done safely.
THE DONT’S: •
Do NOT allow the person to become over-exerted.
•
Do NOT apply tourniquet.
•
Do NOT apply cold compresses to a snake bite.
•
Do NOT cut into a snake bite with a sharp object.
•
Do NOT give person stimulants or any pain meds unless told by doctor.
•
Do NOT give the person anything by mouth.
•
Do NOT raise the site of bite above level of person’s heart.
•
Do NOT try to suck the venom out of the bite wound.