HOW TO AVOID AN ‘UNWANTED OUTCOME’

MR ŞEHERLIOĞLU advises everyone to keep their gardens tidy and free of debris where snakes can hide and get stepped on by accident. With regards to the Girne region and snake sightings, he added: “There has been an increase in the number of calls received in relation to snake sightings, which is due to the increase in weather temperatures . . . which have risen above 30C.”

He said that the 1190 wildlife helpline has had mainly calls about snakes from the mountainous areas of Lapta and Karşıyaka so far this year, but that they expected more snake sightings.

He explained that the blunt nosed viper is an ambush hunter. It will not attack unless it feels under threat.

It will stay still and make a hissing sound as a warning for it not to be approached or touched. It will only attack if a person gets within its “attack range”

– about one to 1.5m, depending on the snake’s size. “All other snake species on the island are harmless and they should be left alone if seen in a garden as they will leave,” Mr Şeherlioğlu said. “We will only come for assistance if they are inside a property.”