Lacerta laevis troodica - werner, Reptiles of Cyprus Thematic Issue, Republic of Cyprus

Travelers visiting Cyprus in the 15th, 18th, and 19th centuries recalled how the land from Limassol to the Cape of Cats (Cape Gata) produced so many reptiles and snakes about two or three feet long whose bite was said to be mortal, that the inhabitants, even the poorest were obliged to wear boots all the time. Reapers fixed bells on their sickles to frighten away the snakes. They reported the genu…