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Reptiles In Cyprus: |
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Jimpklop Senior Member Joined: 23 May 2006 No. of posts: 200  View other posts by Jimpklop |
Posted: 25 Jul 2006 Hi all. I know absolutely nothing about the reptiles in Cyprus, Im going there for a week to chill out so I wondered if it might be a herping opertunity. Does any one know of whats out there? Im going on Wed 2nd would be gratefull if you could let me know what you know before then. Thanks Guys James Im Craving Adder's(www.jimpklop.moonfruit.com) |
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armata Forum Specialist Joined: 05 Apr 2006 No. of posts: 928  View other posts by armata |
Posted: 25 Jul 2006 I can give you some snake info - worm snake - Typhlops vermicularis Whip snake -Coluber jugularis (can reach 2.5m) Cyprus whip snake - Coluber cypriensis Cyprus grass snake - Natrix natrix cypriaca inc truly melanic (blue-black) individuals Coin snake - Coluber nummifer Cat snake - Telescopus fallax Montpellier snake - Malpolon monspessulanus insignatus Blunt-nosed viper - Macrovipera lebetina lebetina V.dangerous. Don't forget to go and see 'snake George' at the reptile park; you will have to check with the tourist info to check where it is now. 'I get my kicks on Route 62' |
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Dan Kane Senior Member Joined: 30 Dec 2005 No. of posts: 201  View other posts by Dan Kane |
Posted: 25 Jul 2006 When I went with my family in 2002 to a hotel south of paphos (aqua sol village...( I was 10 at the time, and without even looking hard), I found on the scrubby land next to the beach an orange lizard with black stripes and a blue tail - juvenile west anatolian rock lizard i think, and a heck of a lot of Agamas all throught the day wherever we went. Also, by the pool, I found an adult Occellated Skink being harrased by some stupid kids and a sunbed. Also found a baby Green Sea Turtle Let us know when you get back... Dan www.randacumbria.moonfruit.com |
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Ray999 Senior Member Joined: 07 Mar 2006 No. of posts: 101  View other posts by Ray999 |
Posted: 25 Jul 2006 Hi James I was there this time last year, it was very very hot and although I wasn't really looking I didn't see anything when I was at sea level.We had a villa up in the hills overlooking Paphos where it was cooler and while I was there I regularly saw Spiny lizards (laudakia stellio) Kotschy Gecko's(cyrtopodion kotschyi) and sadly a few mornings I also found dead Snake Eyed Lizards (ophisops elegans) in the pool. Changing the subject slightly when I was in Tenerife a few years ago I went up to some locals who were throwing bread for what I assumed were birds.When I got closer they were actually throwing the bread for lizards that were living in the rocks,I think they were Common Wall Lizards (podarcis muralis) and while the bread was moving they would run out, grab it,and eat the bread. Has anyone else seen anything like this. Cheers ,Ray ray999 |
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Dan Kane Senior Member Joined: 30 Dec 2005 No. of posts: 201 View other posts by Dan Kane |
Posted: 26 Jul 2006 Yeah, totally ray. The lizards would have been the Tenerife Lizard , and when i was in Gran Canaria this time last year i saw the same thing in Palmitos Park with the Gran Canary Giant Lizard. There they run over your shoes and will eat out of your hand. Both these species of lizards are Gallotias, and feed naturally on vegetation, but also large insects, and of course bread Dan Dan www.randacumbria.moonfruit.com |
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herpetologic2 Senior Member Joined: 15 Jun 2004 No. of posts: 1369  View other posts by herpetologic2 |
Posted: 26 Jul 2006
I have pictures of Ibiza wall lizards eating ice cream!
Jon Vice Chair of ARG UK - self employed consultant - visit ARG UK & Alresford Wildlife |
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Jimpklop Senior Member Joined: 23 May 2006 No. of posts: 200 View other posts by Jimpklop |
Posted: 26 Jul 2006 Hi all Thanks for all the information. I'm going to Pathos(well west of it by about a mile) I have no idea of what habitat they live in or where to see them so can any one give me any pointers? Jon - Can you post the picture of wall lizards eating ice cream? I would love to see it! Thanks Guys James Im Craving Adder's(www.jimpklop.moonfruit.com) |
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Dan Kane Senior Member Joined: 30 Dec 2005 No. of posts: 201 View other posts by Dan Kane |
Posted: 26 Jul 2006 Just try scrubby areas like old dried up riverbeds or where there are insects/food and suitable habitat for the lizards, and your search should maybe turn up something... Dan www.randacumbria.moonfruit.com |
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Ray999 Senior Member Joined: 07 Mar 2006 No. of posts: 101 View other posts by Ray999 |
Posted: 26 Jul 2006 They are in the forest above Pathos but they are pretty much everywhere especially disused/ unfinished building sites.Where we were staying (it was called where the Gods live) it was one of the last developements on the road up to the forests and it was in a lot of scrubland which like Dan says is a good place to find them. I could recommend Fat Mamma's as a good place to eat ,American steak house massive portions and the biggest rack of ribbs I have ever seen. I am off to Sri Lanka and the Maldives in a few weeks time I won't be able to do much hunting (25th wedding aniversary) but it would good to know what I may find there. What other unusual eating habits do lizards have Ray
ray999 |
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Dan Kane Senior Member Joined: 30 Dec 2005 No. of posts: 201 View other posts by Dan Kane |
Posted: 26 Jul 2006 The forest that Ray mentions is the only place to find the Cyprus Whip Snake that I know of, and I bet it feeds on the snake eyed lizards and other small lacertas and skinks, of which there are 4 species in total on the island. Dan www.randacumbria.moonfruit.com |
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arvensis Senior Member Joined: 15 Mar 2006 No. of posts: 445 View other posts by arvensis |
Posted: 27 Jul 2006 Ray, Use this link for Sri Lankan reptiles: http://www.pdn.ac.lk/socs/zaup/reptiles/index.html
Mark Hampshire Amphibian and Reptile Group. |
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Ray999 Senior Member Joined: 07 Mar 2006 No. of posts: 101 View other posts by Ray999 |
Posted: 27 Jul 2006 Thanks Mark, looks like a good site it will take some reading Cheers Ray ray999 |
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Vicar Senior Member Joined: 02 Sep 2004 No. of posts: 1181 View other posts by Vicar |
Posted: 27 Jul 2006 [QUOTE=Ray999]What other unusual eating habits do lizards have?[/QUOTE] Well...the Wall Lizards at Ventnor and Bournemouth love strawberry jam !, a small bit smeared on a wall brings them straight out of their holes Steve Langham - Chairman 
Surrey Amphibian & Reptile Group (SARG). |
- Reptiles In Cyprus |
swimming about 75 meters off shore - that species has important nesting grounds on the west part of the island. I went in July/August I think so there should be plenty out and about...
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