Greece is a country that requires little or no introduction to many people across the world because of the unique nature and diversity that the country has and the changes that are currently happening. Greece is often considered the cradle of western civilization, and they have been at the forefront of changing how the world perceives them. The fantastic weather, ancient structures, culture, and diversity are some of the features that make Greece your next tourism destination. Whether you are visiting Greece for the first time or you are a returning visitor, Greece has so much to offer that you can enjoy on your visit. The beauty of the Mediterranean Sea and the continental European features are some of the features that will give you the best feeling that you have ever had. Greece is a perfect destination whether you are a shopping, art, or culture lover.
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Why Do People Visit Greece?
Greece is well known for its unique cuisines, and you can explore the local and international cuisines during your visit. The country is popular for producing olives, and whether you are a vegetarian or otherwise, you have something that you can enjoy during your stay.
The hospitality level of the Greeks is something that is appareled, and you are sure that you will have the time of your life visiting the region. You are confident that you will have something that you will enjoy during your visit to Greece because the history and the diversity of the nation is something to marvel at. Some of the top islands include Santorini, a popular spot for many tourists visiting the country. You can enjoy indoor and outdoor activities when visiting Greece; you are not limited to the fun activities you can do while in the country.
The Greek islands are heaven on earth, and you can enjoy your stay in the country during your vacation by visiting these awesome spots. The nightlife in Greece is fantastic because people from different parts of the world come to the region and enjoy their nights. Here you can get luxury bars, dancing clubs, and cocktails. As a tourist paradise, Greece promises to give a time of your life when you visit. It is a safe country for tourists; however, this is not to say that Greece has dangerous animals. Here are some of the snakes in Greece.
P.S. Are you visiting the region? Make sure to read the following guides about dangerous animals:
Aesculapian Snake
This is a snake that is characterized to have an intermediate experience level. Therefore, it is integral to avoid interacting with this snake because it can be dangerous. An adult of this snake species is about 70 inches long and can live for almost 25 years. This category of snakes is usually located on the Greek mainland. The Aesculapian snake lives in the farms, open woodlands, and rocky fields. These places are usually characterized by high moisture and high vegetation.
The species are usually on high elevation and treetops. It is important to note that this snake is very active during the day and will often move around at night to get some cold. The adult snake is usually black, brownish-green, and they are often slender with a length of 70 inches and fine scales. These snakes generally consume rabbits, lizards, and other small rodents.
Ohia Snakes
This is one of the most dangerous snakes that you can find in Greece. You must avoid interacting with this snake species because it can cause severe injuries by injecting venom into your body. The common name is a horned viper, and they often bite with fangs injecting venom to the victim. In some cases, depending on the amount of venom passed to the victim, the repercussions might not be severe. However, you must get immediate medical attention if you think a snake has bitten you.
Ohia snakes are not very aggressive since they live under rocks, among other areas. Nevertheless, they may bite in a situation where they feel threatened. Therefore, when exploring different areas of the country, especially those filled with rocks and vegetation, you should watch out for this species.
Bosnian Adder
The Bosnian adder is a very dangerous snake characterized by a horizontal growth of up to 25 inches long and can live for 15 years. This species of snakes are located in mainland Greece, and when traversing the country, you should be careful to avoid any challenge that may arise in case you encounter them. They usually reside in the northern mountainous regions, sandy heaths, rocky hillsides, and open meadows where tall grass is. It is good to know that these snakes also like wet areas, and you can find them in wet areas.
The Bosnian adder is characterized by yellow, white, brown, and black colors. They also have a running zigzag pattern on the back. The Bosnian adder has a powerful venom, and they usually consume small rodents such as mice, rats, frogs, rabbits, among others. When they are hungry, they can be very malicious, and they often bite the prey waiting for it to die before consuming it.
Blotched Snake
The blotched snake is a species that is 40 to 60 inches in length when fully grown, and it can live for up to 15 years. The blotched snake is usually found in mainland Greece, and it is often classified as a subspecies of the ratsnake. Their habitat usually ranges from ravines to thin forests.
The blotched snake is usually very active during the day, and they can be found on the edge of the river and marshy lands. They are very secretive, and very little information is known about them. However, they are known to have large round eyes, and the scales on their body are smooth and will vary in color depending on the location where you find these snakes. The blotched snakes usually consume birds and mammals, and they live in the forests, hilly sides, and open meadows.
Smooth Snake
The smooth snake is usually 25 to 30 inches long and has about 15 years. These are some of the most secretive snakes found in the Greek mainland. Their life is usually based on the sandy habitats and areas that are well covered. You can see these snakes basking in the sun, and they often hide in rocks and debris. They go on hibernation in the holes dug underground during the winter period.
The smooth snakes are quite sleek, and they blend in well with the sandy habitats. You will always confuse them because they blend very well with their surroundings. The color will vary depending on the snake’s habitat, from gray to brown, and they have dotted marking on the back. It is imperative to note that this category of snakes is usually glossy, and they feed on small animals such as lizards, rabbits, and birds.
Balkan Whip Snake
The Balkan whip snake is a totally different species of a snake because it can grow up to 50 inches long and they live for about 18 years. The Balkan whip snakes can be located on Kefalonia, Crete, Zakynthos, Corfu Isle, and Greece mainland. The snakes usually stay in the habitat on road banks, pastures, open woodlands, shrubby areas, and rocky places where you will find these snakes relaxing and basking in the sun.
The Balkan whip snake is terrestrial, and they hibernate in furrows during the winter period. Some of the features of this snake include smooth scales, thin and long body shape. The neck is usually olive-grey, and you can see striped patterns and spots on their back. Depending on their location, you will find some with white or yellow stomachs. They usually consume small rodents, rabbits, birds, among others. While they may not be venomous snakes, they are often dangerous when they feel threatened hence the need to avoid them when visiting Greece.
Meadow Viper
The meadow viper is usually about 20 inches long in its adult life, and it lives for about 12 years. The snakes usually prefer temperate grasslands, aquafarms, wetlands, and rocky areas as the central area of their habitat. This category of snakes is generally very active during spring and early fall, and they can be seen swimming or gliding on land during the day. They can climb on tree branches as well.
The meadow vipers are usually thin-bodied with narrow heads, and their scales are rough with a yellow, grey tan stripe that runs along their back. The stripe is usually very clear, and you can check this snake anywhere in the meadows. The males are usually smaller than the females, and they feed on lizards, small rodents, and birds. The changes in climatic conditions in different parts of the world contribute to the disappearance of this species hence the need to protect it.
Javelin Sand Boa
The javelin sand boa is a snake that is usually about 25 inches long, and it can live for up to 15 years. The snake can be found in Greece mainland, islands of Crete, Samos, Corfu, and Chios. It is a dangerous snake because when it injects venom to the victim, it is bound to cause paralysis of limbs and breathing difficulties.
They inhabit the grasslands, scrub forests, deserts, and shrubland. They thrive more in an arid climate and have thick and small heads, and their skin is usually camouflaged with the desert sand. They are tan, grey, or black depending on the location that they live in, these snakes typically spend most of the time in burrows, and they come out to hunt at night.
Four-lined Snake
The four-lined snake is usually around 74 inches long and lives for up to 13 years. The four-lined snake is found in the Greek isles of Kefalonia, Corfu, and Zakynthos, and the mainland. They usually prefer sparse woodlands, hilly regions, low stem ferrets, and deserted places. They are active when the temperature drops, and they are excellent climbers.
This category of snakes is usually active in the early afternoon and very early in the morning. As much as they love spending their time on land, they are very good climbers. Just as the name indicates, the snake is characterized by four lines that usually run on its back, and they are known to have brown to yellowish bodies with black lines on their back. The stomachs are usually white with very dark markings. They feed on squirrels, mice, lizards, birds, and rabbits.
Grass Snake
The grass snake is a type of snake that groups up to 25 inches long and has a lifespan of up to 20 years. It is one of the dangerous snake species out there. Whenever you encounter them, you must always stay safe. These snakes are found in the isles of Samos, Lesvos, Chios, Rhodes, Zakynthos, and Corfu. They are a widespread species.
It is important to note that this snake thrives in highly wet and vegetative areas. It likes to live in coastal, woodlands, wetlands, and suburban areas with high moisture. These snake species can thrive in the area—their natural color changes with their surroundings, with the major ones being dark brown and dark green. The grass snake will have a white or yellow mark on its head. This category of snakes usually feeds on small insects and amphibians, and they play dead when attacked. However, they may bite you when they feel that you are threatening them.
Montpellier Snake
The Montpellier snake grows up to 79 inches long and can live for 20 years. This snake category is usually found in the isles of Corfu, Kefalonia, Zakynthos, and mainland Greece. They like an area with high temperatures, dry, and little vegetation. Therefore, you will find them in vineyards, woodlands, and stone walls. They are usually very active during the day, and they have rear fangs, which are deadly when they bite and inject venom into the victim. The Montpellier snakes usually have long and powerful bodies, and large round eyes characterize them with green pupils. Depending on their habitat, the adults are usually green or dark grey, and you can find them anywhere in Greece.
In conclusion, there are so many snake species in Greece, and the most important thing is to ensure that you always stay safe during your trip. If you are a snake enthusiast, you have to do your research properly, and if you want to explore the different regions, you should know what dangerous animals and snakes to expect.
