Anyway, as I planted my foot, the King Brown did not even move or strike. They can feel vibrations in the ground and are known to be very aggressive when you're in their space. By the time I noticed the snake, it was too late, my leg was right beside it. I moved away slowly.
How lucky was I?
BTW, I was about 1.5 hours from the nearest hospital, so an Air Ambulance (Helicopter Medivac) would have been dispatched if I had been bitten.
To cut a long story short, I called the police who then dispatched this very Australian (Steve Irwin?) type snake catcher, who bagged the snake using a stick. The snake was taken away and released as all snakes are protected.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pseudechis_australis
BTW, this snake was found a fair way south of the red area. They are even found in peoples backyards in Adelaide (although this is rare).
Just thought I would share my near death experience (if I got bitten that is).
But on the whole, I am very fascinated with these wonderful creatures. I have seen some Taipans as well. They say they are the deadliest in the world.
I could not believe how relaxed this snake catcher was. He just walked behind the King Brown and picked it up by the tail, whilst holding the snake's head and fangs away from him with a hooked stick. The snake was really pissed...
Anyone else had any snake encounters in Cyprus?
