THERE are 11 types of snakes in Spain, but only three of these are venomous, the last of which causes between 2,000 and 5,000 bites and one or two deaths a year.<\/p>\n
According to the president of the environmental association Iberozoa, Antonio Mart\u00edn Higuera, there are only three species of vipers found on the Peninsula Iberica that \u2018pose a threat to humans\u2019: the snub-nosed viper (Vipera latastei), Seoane\u2019s viper (Vipera seoanei) and the asp (Vipera aspis).<\/p>\n
However, these venomous vipers are only accountable for one or two deaths a year, and as pointed out by Higuera, more people die in Spain from wasp stings or dog bites.<\/p>\n
Most of the venomous snakes found in Spain are very small and only actually attack if touched or feel threatened in any way, otherwise their instinct is to flee.<\/p>\n
The other 11 non-venomous species of snakes found in Spain, can measure between 50-60 centimeters and two meters, fortunately, despite their more \u2018imposing\u2019 size, none pose a threat to humans.<\/p>\n
According to Mart\u00edn, though snakes in Spain are a protected species \u201cit is not necessary to call the Nature Protection Service (Seprona) of the Civil Guard or the local police everytime a snake is spotted.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause it is a wild animal, like any other, as if an owl lands on the roof of a house looking for mice, it will leave the house to look for food somewhere else once finished.\u201d Mart\u00edn said.<\/p>\n
If in doubt, however, Seprona recommends calling 112.<\/p>\n
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