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RAUK - Archived Forum - Reptiles In Cyprus

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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
Jimpklop38923.2817013889
Im Craving Adder's(www.jimpklop.moonfruit.com)
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'
Dan Kane
Senior Member
Joined: 30 Dec 2005
No. of posts: 201


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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 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...

Let us know when you get back...


Dan

www.randacumbria.moonfruit.com
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
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
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
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)
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
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
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
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.
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
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

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