Crete’s Wildlife ~ Dice Snake Video
If you’re considering a visit to Crete, please don’t be alarmed by the possibility of a chance encounter with a snake. Most people never see a snake in Crete, and if you do, it will most likely have slithered away by the time you’ve gotten your camera ready!
Truth is, Crete’s snakes are far more frightened of people, than folk are frightened of them! Four species of snakes call Crete home, and these are:
- Leopard Snake (Elaphe Situla) preys on small rodents, including mice and rats, so the species is considered helpful to the local environment.
- Balkan Whip Snake (Coluber Gemonensis) also helps control the rodent population by preying on mice and rats, as well as birds, lizards and large insects.
- Cat Snake (Telescopus Fallax) doesn’t eat cats! A nocturnal snake, that preys mainly on geckos and lizards.
- Dice Snake (Natrix Tesselata, pictured below) is similar to British Grass Snake, except that its main prey is small fish. I recently read that if you pick up a Dice Snake, it’s unlikely to bite, but may exude an unpleasant smellling fluid to discourage handling, but you’re not going to pick one up, are you?
By the end of this article, I hope to convince you that Crete’s snakes are not only timid and harmless to people, but that they are beautiful animals that make interesting subject matter for photographers, and offer an exotic topic for the raconteur!
Click image to view enlargement
I confess that I’d been unaware of snakes in Crete, simply because I hadn’t given thought to Crete’s reptiles in general, other than lizards. Consequently, we were thrilled when we first spotted a small snake swimming in the river with its head carried high, tongue flickering in and out, tasting the day’s menu on the sea breeze!
We were staying in Platanias, half an hour’s drive west of Chania, when we encountered the first snake, and after that I was constantly vigilant, peering intently at the river banks during my daily meandering walks. When we weren’t out exploring somewhere further afield, we’d enjoy spending our days chilling out by the river mouth, which was a 10 minute stroll from the hotel, westward along the beach.
Every day we would enjoy this location all to ourselves, and we never could believe our good fortune! (But, hey, that’s for another article!)
When I did spot a snake sunning itself on a large flat rock, of course, I didn’t have the camera with me, but it was amongst our stuff on the shore, so I raced back to grab it, and was delighted that (a) the snake hadn’t slithered off, and (b) I managed to capture a few moments on video (before my partner just had to get a bit closer and, by so doing, he spooked the snake and it vanished into its watery realm).
The snake pictured above and in the video is a Dice Snake (natrix tessellata), a close relative of the British Grass Snake and equally harmless. It eats mainly fish, and inhabits rivers and river banks, as suggested by its Greek name, Nerofido (water snake).
A little further reassurance about not being afraid of snakes in Crete… if there had been any danger, I promise you I wouldn’t have been standing in the water shooting this video!
Remember that Crete’s snakes are harmless, and they will be afraid of you! If you’re freaked out by snakes whatever you know the facts to be, and you encounter a snake while you’re out and about in Crete, try to bear in mind these points:
- Don’t panic.
- Crete’s snakes are harmless.
- Crete’s snakes are frightened of you.
- Don’t stress the snake by moving abruptly, or screaming.
- Slowly step away, allowing the snake to escape easily.
- If you successfully accomplish 1. by remembering 2., attempt to grab your camera and snap away (better still, video the event).
Crete’s wildlife is rich and varied, try not to allow irrational fears to spoil your vacation. By conquering the all-too-common phobia of snakes, which is experienced by many people, you’ll discover another of Crete’s delights to enjoy.
Posted in: Crete Holidays, Crete Wildlife |
August 26th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
Well I’m glad you said something… my Mum is terrified of snakes so I know never to invite her there for a holiday. I for one, have been dying to go to Greece!
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Crete Delights Reply:
August 27th, 2008 at 5:22 am
Aw, snakes get such a rough deal and some are so beautiful! Gotta admit, it was a surprise when the first snake appeared out of nowhere swimming beside us! But he just looked so cute, like a little animated periscope!
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August 26th, 2008 at 11:09 pm
Hi Mama Mia errr Meryl errr Layne,
A very informative post. I’m truly convinced that there is greater danger from people who are snakes to other humans than the snakes of Crete. By the way, are any of these edible?
The reason I ask is because I wouldn’t want people from where I am to make the snakes in Crete extinct. They eat snakes here. But I think the country’s leaders are the worst snakes of all.
Nice photos too. You submerged yourself in the water! Wow! I wouldn’t want you to do that here as there are a few remaining body parts that have yet to be removed from the water in this place. Ha ha ha.
I do hope you get to fulfill your dream of settling in Crete, it becomes you. Perhaps you were from the place in your past life.
Take care and regards to your partner. I’m doing fine here despite two members from my team being removed for illness. It hasn’t hit me yet, and I hope it never does. See ya and good luck on this site too.
–Durano, done!
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Crete Delights Reply:
August 26th, 2008 at 11:12 pm
Dearest Durano,
I’m so delighted that you have posted the first comment here - I haven’t devised an avatar yet, so I’d better get cracking.
If ever I’m in your present part of the world, I think I’ll give snorkelling and scuba a miss! I’m sorry to hear your colleagues are unwell, and I sure hope you don’t fall victim, especially as you really do sound buoyant and upbeat, and it’s beautiful to behold!
Oh, and your query about whether the snakes are edible… how remiss of me, I neglected to enquire! I’ve yet to see snake on any restaurant menus in Crete, so it’s probably safe to assume they are purely decorative species!
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August 31st, 2008 at 11:27 am
I love Greece and love your Blog. My wife and I have been to Crete 6 times and are going again in two weeks. We are staying in Plakias on the South Coast and are looking forward to seeing the wildlife out there again. I have a Greek Mesage board and will post a link to your site on it. Please feel free to visit sometime.
Regards Mark
Mark’s last blog post..Summer Garden Toadfest
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Crete Delights Reply:
August 31st, 2008 at 4:57 pm
Thanks so much for the kind words and link, that means a lot!
The South of Crete is just so beautiful - have a great trip. I’m hankering after a break there in october, but am torn cos I really need to hold onto the money towards my full-scale relocation, but the pull is soooo strong!
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August 31st, 2008 at 11:28 am
Sorry forgot to leave the link to my message board.
http://capybara.proboards52.com/
Mark’s last blog post..Summer Garden Toadfest
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Crete Delights Reply:
August 31st, 2008 at 4:59 pm
Cheers Mark.
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September 5th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
As Indiana Jones says, “I hate snakes!” Although I loved your article and learned some things I didn’t know! Thanks for the great info!
Cheers,
Deb
Deb DiSalvo’s last blog post..Lucky Cards
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Crete Delights Reply:
September 5th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
Thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed it, and ya know, I’ll bet the snakes don’t like tourists either!
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September 9th, 2008 at 9:33 am
Well, there you go. I had no idea that there were snakes on Crete! Of course, the fact that I’ve never been to Greece doesn’t help…!
I’m not scared of snakes, though I’m wary when we’ve been in places where there are dangerous ones - for instance, Florida, Utah or Nevada. We only have one venomous snake here in the UK, and it’s very rarely seen.
Interesting article - the Dice snake does look pretty!
Jay’s last blog post..Miss September
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Crete Delights Reply:
September 9th, 2008 at 9:45 am
Hell, you don’t hang around do you! I have to confess, I’d be a little warier anywhere near snakes that cause excruciating pain and possibly death!
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September 12th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Hi Layne,
You have received the Brillante Weblog Award. Check it out at:
http://spittingvessel.blogspot.com/2008/09/buttressed-by-brillante-blog-award.html
Certainly well deserved!
–Durano, done!
durano lawayan’s last blog post..Buttressed By Brillante Blog Award
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September 15th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
I have the willies but what a GREAT snake post!!!
Cheers, JJ
JJLochs last blog post..At the Beach Fiction Scene
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Crete Delights Reply:
September 22nd, 2008 at 5:21 am
I’m delighted you enjoyed it and hope you drop by for more.
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September 21st, 2008 at 6:25 am
I am afraid of snakes … and then again I agree with what Durano said, “there is greater danger from people who are snakes to other humans than the snakes of Crete.” The interesting thing is that I have always dreamt of snakes which I have no idea why too. Maybe I was a snake in my past life.
BKs last blog post..Beauty is in Your Heart and Soul
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Crete Delights Reply:
September 21st, 2008 at 4:37 pm
Ah, our dearest Durano is a very wise man…
I imagine how an individual feels about snakes depends on where they live and what kinds of snake live there with them!
When I was in India, I very nearly trod on a snake when I was walking at dusk and the shadows obscured it on the ground in front of me. As I moved my foot, my ankle chain jingled, alarming the snake, and it slithered away - it was only then that I saw it!! I still wear that ankle chain!!
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October 5th, 2008 at 6:53 am
oh snake! i’m scared of them..they’re creepy and i think with bad attitude.
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Crete Delights Reply:
October 5th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
Aw, poor lil wrigglies get such bad press… think of all the smaller unpleasant creepy things that they dispose of by way of eating them for dinner!
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October 6th, 2008 at 8:21 pm
I really enjoyed this post.I use to always have a fear of snakes.I believe this to be from living all over the world with my parents.Africa,Asia and Australia(where it seems like every thing is poisonous).In these places you can’t just cuttle up to the serpents and play.Hence my fear.Later on,as I grew up,I learned to respect rather than fear them.I have even found myself defending them from certain death out of someone else s fear.So,I was happy to feel your enthusiasm as I read your post and watched the video.Thank you for not harassing or killing one of our misunderstood creatures.
Remember they help control the spread of disease by controlling rodent population.
Thanks for the post.
Gregorios last blog post..Recieved an Award
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Crete Delights Reply:
October 6th, 2008 at 9:55 pm
I guess a person’s attitude and approach depends on where the snake encounter occurs! I don’t feel quite as relaxed towards venomous snakes as I do towards constrictors, cos altho they’re mostly shy creatures, it’s the fear of taking one by surprise and getting bitten. It is a pity that they get negative publicity, as they are very remarkable animals.
Thanks for your input.
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October 22nd, 2008 at 11:46 am
Snakes are snakes, stop trying to give them excuses
They are bad weird creepy animals…
They will not wait for a second to attack, all snakes must die…. they deserve it.. did you see snakes on a plane??? DID YOU SEE IT!!!
Ok, obviously am just kidding… lol, the video and the image are just amazing.. very nice post all together. Keep it up
Ibrahim Husseins last blog post..DU Customer Support Experience - The Worst Ever
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Crete Delights Reply:
October 22nd, 2008 at 3:56 pm
Hey, crazy person… heh, heh… I didn’t get to see Snakes on a Plane, but I have seen a few clips from it, and going by those, I’d be just as freaked out as everyone else! I mean, I’m not insane!
‘preciate ya dropping by.
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