Maltese snakes

Abstract

Thus runs the account of St. Paul the Apostle's encounter with a snake following his shipwreck on Malta in A.D. 61. Apart from being the earliest record of snakes on our Islands, this episode has given rise to a large number of legends, sayings and superstitions. Perhaps the most famous of these is that the Apostle banished all poisonous species from the Islands or at least rendered them harmless. It is certainly true that all Maltese snakes are harmless, however, contrary to popular belief, a poisonous species does occur in Malta, although this is not a viper. The identity of the "viper" which bit the Apostle has led to much debate.