It is common question that are there dangerous animals in Kefalonia or what dangers are on the island, but we have good news! A holiday is safe in Kefalonia, because altough the wide variety of local wildlife, the most species pose little or no threat to humans.
However, like any natural habitat in the world, Kefalonia and Greece does host a few animals that can be potentially dangerous if encountered in specific situations. Most of the Kefalonian animals are not inherently aggressive, but may act defensively if they feel threatened. Now here’s a look at some of the potentially dangerous animals of Kefalonia, which we have found and we bring also safety tips for you, how to encounter these animals.
What are the most Dangerous animals in Kefalonia
Wasp
Let’s start the most common of dangerous animals, which live in Kefalonia! These animals are the wasps, which can be find at many places of the island. If you know that you are sensitive or you have allergic symptons to wasp stings, always bring antidote with you. The wasps belong the dangerous animals in Kefalonia Island, but usually these animals don’t harm the most people. But you need to be always careful, because the wasps can fly into bottles, drink, beer cans!
If you drink from a beer or soda can somewhere, always take care to cover the mouth of the can! The wasps can be annoying when you are relaxing on such beautiful beaches as Antisamos beach or Myrtos beach. If can, avoid sudden movements, it’s not worth upsetting them. On the local beaches sometimes you can see wasps in Antisamos beach, as we are experiencing for many years. Because wasps are smelling and searching food, some local restaurants defend against them with incense
Sea urchin
The most dangerous animals of the Kefalonian waters are sea urchins, which live mostly in rocky seabeds. But there are good news also: most of the beaches in Kefalonia Island, especially where most of the people bath, are free from sea urchins!
The Ionian Sea around Kefalonia has much less sea urchins, than the Adriatic Sea in Croatia.
Where the seabed is primarily filled by rocks and stones, you need to take attention where you walk in the sea. Wearing water shoes always significantly reduces the risk. To step into the sea urchin can be extremely painful, and in most cases it requires medical intervention. At the sandy beaches of Kefalonia, such as Xi beach, Lepeda beach, Makris Gialos and Platis Gialos beach, Skala beach, Mounda beach, the beaches near Svoronata, etc you will not find sea urchins, just in very rare cases on the side rocks of the seabed.
In most cases the central parts of the other beaches are also lack sea urchins, such as Petani beach or the beaches near Fiskardo. But if the seabed is filled by rocks and pebbles in abandoned beaches, and you can’t see where you step, always wear wear water shoes! And always try avoid dark spots in the seabed, when walking in the sea.
Jellyfish
Fortunately jellyfishes are not common at all near Kefalonia Island, thanks for the local sea currents. But sometimes these animals occur near the local beaches: the main reason is the climate change and warm sea temperatures. Climate change causes that some parts of the Ionian Sea are getting warmer, making ideal conditions for some species of jellyfishes which are not native.
Some species of jellyfishes can be dangerous for swimmers, including some potentially dangerous species such as the Pelagia noctiluca (known as the mauve stinger). If you see in the waters or on the beach these creatures, leave the water. The mauve stinger is a small jellyfish, with a size of 3 – 12 cm. They have usually pink or purple colurs, with long tentacles that contain stinging cells.
Jellyfish do not intentionally attack humans, but their tentacles deliver a sting when touched. The sting is caused by the release of toxins from specialized cells in the tentacles. The bite of a jellyfish can be painful, so these animals are belong to the list of dangerous animals in Kefalonia.
The sting of the mauve stinger can cause a painful rash, swelling and itching. In rare cases, allergic reactions can lead to more serious symptoms. If stung, rinse the affected area with seawater (not freshwater), avoid rubbing, and apply vinegar or a jellyfish sting treatment if available. If symptoms getting worse, always seek medical attention and find one of the doctors in Kefalonia.
Horned Viper (Vipera ammodytes) and other Snakes
The horned viper, also known as the long-nosed viper or sand viper, is one of the most dangerous snakes in Greece and can be found on Kefalonia. The good news are that this snake is not common at all in touristic areas! Literally 99.99% of the tourists never meet them.
The vipers and snakes in Kefalonia prefers rocky, dry and warm areas, such as hillsides and fields, mostly abandoned rural locations. They are usually found basking in the sun on warm rocks or among shrubs. It’s an imporant, not every snake is dangerous animal in Kefalonia! But because most of the people don’t know the differences, try to avoid these animals, and don’t try to find them.
The horned viper is identifiable by the small “horn” on its nose, which gives it a distinct appearance. The horned viper has a thick, robust body, typically light brown or gray with a distinctive dark zigzag pattern along its back. It can grow up to 90 cm (35 inches) in length, but fortunately most of these animals are smaller om Cephalonia, between 30 – 60 cm.
The horned viper is typically shy animal and will usually try to avoid humans, retreating if given the chance. However, if threatened or surprised, it may bite in self-defense. Its bite is venomous and can cause serious symptoms, including pain, swelling, and in rare cases, more severe reactions. Immediate medical attention is necessary if bitten by a snake, to avoid allergic reactions!
Hikers should wear sturdy shoes and avoid putting hands or feet into areas where they cannot see. These places are mostly the tall grass, rocky crevices or under rocks. If you encounter a viper or other snake in Kefalonia, keep your distance and do not attempt to handle it. These dangerous animals often sunbathe on the rocks of the archeological sights as well. Don’t touch rocks, when you visit one of the local sights of the island, such as the Venetian Castle of Assos, St. George Castle, old Sami, etc!
Scorpions
Several scorpion species are native to Greece, and Kefalonia is also no different. The Mediterranean climate with its dry and warm weather is ideal for these creatures, so from the southern areas of France to Italy and Greece these animals are native. If you are scared now, don’t be! Despite the fact scorpions live in Kefalonia, they are rarely seen.
Near coastal areas and near the beaches of the island scorpions are mostly not common. The scorpions in Greece are typically dark brown, black or yellow coloured, range in size from 2 to 10 cm (2 to 4 inches). The local scorpions are nocturnal and are generally found in dry, warm areas. During the day, they hide under rocks, in the hollows of trees and in small crevices.
The scorpions in Kefalonia are reclusive and will usually avoid contact with humans. However, they may sting if stepped on or accidentally touched. Although scorpion stings are generally not life-threatening, they can cause intense pain, swelling. In some cases the venom caues allergic reactions, so after a scorpion bite we suggest visit a doctor.
The best safety tips against scorpions are simple. When you hike or explore rocky areas (including archeological sites of Kefalonia), be cautious when picking up stones or wood. Avoid placing hands or feet in dark or unseen places! At night, wear closed-toe shoes and shake out shoes, bedding, or clothing left outdoors before using them. Shake out your shoes before step in.
Large Centipedes (Scolopendra cingulata)
The Mediterranean banded centipede (Scolopendra cingulata) is the largest centipede species in Europe and as in other areas in Greece, it can be found on Kefalonia as well. Although not particularly aggressive, it can deliver a painful bite. This centipede is really a huge one, which can grow up to 15 cm (6 inches) long. It has a segmented, brownish-yellow body with many pairs of legs. It has a characteristic flattened appearance and a set of venomous pincers.
As some other dangerous animals in Kefalonia such as scorpions, it primarily prefers warm, dry environments and is commonly found under rocks and leaf litter in both natural and rural areas. The Mediterranean banded centipede is nocturnal and generally avoids humans, but it will bite if it feels threatened or if someone accidentally comes into contact with it. The venom of this centipede is also not life-threatening in most cases, but its bite can cause sharp pain, redness and localized swelling, sometimes accompanied by allegic reactions. The best safety tip for centipedes is wearing gloves if working in areas where they might be present, such as in gardens or outdoor woodpiles. If your room is close to mother nature or there are trees at your window, shake out shoes and clothing.
Sharks
In the Ionian Sea many kind of sharks live, from the small ones to quite big. So as many fishes, sharks are also living in the waters Kefalonia as well, but most of these animals are harmless, and eat smaller fishes. Near the coastline even a smaller one is very rarely seen, because the bigger sharks live primarily further away from the coast. If you are scared from sharks in Kefalonia Island, don’t be: shark attacks near the coasts of Kefalonia island are extremely rare, we literally never found or hear any note about this.
The best chance to meet sharks in Kefalonia island is almost only exclusive for the local fishermen, but even they see these animals very rarely. In the north of the Ionian Sea dangerous shark sightings are slightly more frequent (near Corfu), but most of the sharks which live in the area, have been seen in the Adriatic Sea.
Moray eels
The moray eels are usually hidden from most of the travellers, but snorkelers and divers can meet them in very rare cases. Moray eels live mostly in dark caves in the seabed, further away from the noisy beaches. They defend their territory – their teeth are sharp, and they bite! So don’t touch into dark places and caves in the sea, because the bite of moray eel can be painful. The chance to meet a moray eel in Kefalonia is almost zero, if you don’t dive around dark underwater rock cavities.
Lionfish (Pterois miles)
While not native to the Ionian Sea, in recent years the invasive lionfish has recently spread to parts of the Mediterranean, including the waters of Ionian Islands. These fishes are beautiful creatures, but venomous – they have long, flowing spines that can cause painful stings.
During snorkeling in the sea lionfishes are highly recognizable, with reddish or brownish stripes, fan-like pectoral fins, and long venomous spines on their dorsal fins. They are relatively small fishes, averaging 20–40 cm (10–16 inches) in length. If you dive in rocky areas and reefs and you see one of these, don’t swim closer! The venomous spines of a lionfish can cause a painful sting, with symptoms such as swelling, redness, intense pain, and, in severe cases, nausea, difficulty breathing or fever.
Very imporant information that their spines are capable of delivering venom even after the fish is dead! In the event of a sting, hot water immersion is recommended, along with immediate medical care of course.
Safety Tips for dangerous animals and how to avoid these animals in Kefalonia
First of all, Kefalonia Island is a safe place and potentially dangerous animals are relatively rare here. But if you prefer outdoor activities like hiking, diving, or swimming, it’s essential to be aware and cautious to prevent troubles.
When hiking, stay on marked trails to avoid inadvertently disturbing animals in their natural habitats. When you are hiking in sturdy shoes and long pants, they can protect against most of the bites, stings, or scratches from various creatures. Be mindful of your surroundings, and if you spot an animal, observe it from a distance, it doesn’t matter that it is a marine animal or lives in the forest.
When you meet one of the potentially dangerous animal is Kefalina, avoid sudden movements that could provoke an animal’s defensive behavior. It’s worth to learn basic first aid procedures for bites and stings, and carry a first aid kit that includes treatments for insect and jellyfish stings. By respecting these animals and understanding how to safely coexist with them, you can enjoy Kefalonia’s natural beauty without incident and your holiday will be perfect!
And one of the most important things: meet with a dangerous animal in Kefalonia island is extremely rare (except wasps), so don’t worry, don’t be afraid, just enjoy your stay!
