Mystery wiggly worm found in North Cyprus!

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
07/07/2010 08:17

Last night, pussy brought 'Mummy' a present - you guessed it - a wiggly worm!



But not your common or garden earthworm - this is a most unusual species, very rarely seen in Cyprus.



This worm is approx. 11" [28mm] long with a reddish brown, slim body.



The cat cannot penetrate the worm's epidermis with either tooth, or claw, it is so hard and slippery - but not slimey.



The worm is very active in its movements - not sluggish like an earthworm. It can quickly climb a folded patio carpet, but has no grip on a shiny, glazed tile surface.



The cat is unable to get a proper grip of the worm, as the worm is so sleek and dry, so, fortunately, it remains completely uninjured - even after several hours of being tormented.



To placate Buddhists and Nature lovers: when pussy takes her 'after brekky nap' - I will return the wiggly worm to under the hedge, where she found it!

BoTanica


Joined: 22/12/2009
Posts: 714

Message Posted:
07/07/2010 09:43

Might be a skink?

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
07/07/2010 09:51

Sounds like the larval stage of the Oleander Moth

Southcoaster


Joined: 01/04/2009
Posts: 81

Message Posted:
07/07/2010 09:51

It is Budak's Snake-eyed Skink - a type of lizard.

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
07/07/2010 09:53

sorry misread due to 11" = 28cm not 28mm...

Jetski


Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 584

Message Posted:
07/07/2010 09:58

Or could be a Worm Snake - seriously - google it.

Jetski


Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 584

Message Posted:
07/07/2010 10:01

Here's a link



http://www.cyhams.org/snakes.htm

MiketheBike


Joined: 01/04/2009
Posts: 159

Message Posted:
07/07/2010 10:34

I have found them whilst digging in the garden, possibly a worm snake or 'blind snake' it lives underground and burrows quite deep, hence no use for eyes. They move very fast and yes the cats love em!

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
07/07/2010 10:37

It is, indeed, the 'Worm Snake' - here is the best (Google) link I've found - pussy's 'catch' (28cm in length) resembles the middle picture most:



http://www.uga.edu/srelherp/snakes/caramo.htm

cypgab


Joined: 09/01/2010
Posts: 338

Message Posted:
07/07/2010 11:06

Quote: But not your common or garden earthworm - this is a most unusual species, very rarely seen in Cyprus.



So you knew what it was when you posted. Are they really rare in Cyprus?

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
07/07/2010 11:35

Quite rare - I've only seen two in five years in TRNC.



Quote rom TRNC websıte: 'Worm Snake

A very strange looking thing which doesn’t really have a defined head! This species only grows to around 30cm in length, is a shiny pink brown colour and has tiny dark spots for eyes. You are more likely to find these little fellas hiding under stones during the day as they don’t like the sun.'

MrsSnakes



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 1100

Message Posted:
07/07/2010 12:20

I found Mr lying under a stone once..................

LaptaGeezer


Joined: 01/06/2010
Posts: 407

Message Posted:
07/07/2010 12:34

I must say that I find the thought that these living creatures being killed by cats are 'presents' to be very crass! Don't get me wrong.. I am NOT having a go at anybody personally, but if were a dog that brought home a kitten as a 'present' to its owner then there would be outrage for the dog to be put down. I watched a programme a couple of years ago about cats and their behaviour and the owner was very proud of the collection of animals/birds that her cat had killed during a 7 day period! Just seems wrong to me.



Once again... not aimed at anyone, just getting it off my chest!!

TRNCVaughan


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 4578

Message Posted:
07/07/2010 16:11

First it's spiders eating bugs. Now it's cats eating worms.

Christ, Roy mate! Get out a bit more.

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
07/07/2010 18:05

Ah, but did you see what time I posted this thread/topic, Vaughan - probably before you even rolled out the 'fart-sack'???!!!

Spearfish



Joined: 23/04/2010
Posts: 149

Message Posted:
07/07/2010 18:17

I found one once in the garden when I was planting an apple tree. I picked it up thinking it was a worm. then saw its 2 tiny eyes, at that point I droped it and thought that I had been holding a baby venomous snake, this one was silver.

TRNCVaughan


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 4578

Message Posted:
07/07/2010 21:19

Roy mate,



I've been getting up at 0445 to do some work before it's too redders to crack on this week.

My "scratcher" and I are strangers, blue.



rgds



V

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
08/07/2010 00:31

Good to hear from you, Spearfish - hope you're having good fishing.



Please tell us how fish stocks are faring this summer.



Back to snakes: A few years ago, in Paphos, I was cutting date palm fronds with long handled 'loppers'. Being a diver, I am used to using my periphiral vision, perhaps a bit more than people bother to on land. As I was busy, I was conscious of something moving close to my right ear; and when I turned my head slightly, I saw it was a snake. This snake was about 1.5 metres long and was a bright green colour, with a silvery belly - it had the strangest hooded slits for eyes. I backed off and started moving the 'loppers' from side to side - the snake followed the movements - like a Cobra. Although I pruned that date palm again for seveal years after, I never saw the snake again; I've never since seen one like it, nor seen it mentioned on herpetological websites. I wonder if it is indigenous to Cyprus, or, if anyone has seen one like it?

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
08/07/2010 11:04

We've seen a bright green snake... writhing across the road being chased by a big black snake once on the way to Kaplıca...

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
08/07/2010 15:20

That's interesting, Groucho - so I wonder why this species doesn't seem to be mentioned in any of the Cypriot herpetology websites.



I saw an enormous green snake slithering across the road in Crete in about 1980, but this was much thicker and longer than the one [which was flicking its tongue in and out at me, inches from my ear!] in Paphos.

cyprusairsoft



Joined: 22/06/2009
Posts: 2066

Message Posted:
08/07/2010 15:26

vaughan have you learned another language?

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
09/07/2010 09:57

Too right, he has, mate - it's called 'STREIN'!