Appearance: It has a length up to 115cm. Its colour is grey or light grey or black with thin white lines in the first half of its body.

Habitat: It is a rare species of our island and it is located in heights up to 2400 metres. It is usually found in the Troodos, Paphos, and Macheras forests. It moves day as well as night. It prefers wet shady areas near streams or damns as well as areas which are covered by bushes or other plantations.

Diet: It feeds on lizards, snakes, frogs, rodents and insects.

Dangerousness:  It is completely harmless and flees in human presence.

Cyprus whip snake - Hierophis Cypriensis photos: