Many of us like to spend free time active: organize hikes in the forest with an overnight stay, go to conquer mountains, swim in reservoirs. Leisure not only gives unforgettable emotions and an encounter with beautiful landscapes, but danger can await a person - vipers, which are also part of nature. Are you ready to meet them?

General information about the viper

The viper family includes 58 species. Snakes live in Europe, Asia and Africa. All representatives of the viper family are poisonous and dangerous to humans. They mainly lead a terrestrial lifestyle. The exceptions are:

Most numerous the following types vipers:

• steppe viper. The top of the snake is brown-gray in color, with a dark stripe running along the body. Lives in the steppes. The snake is small, has short fangs, and injects a small amount of venom into the victim. Deaths after the bite of this viper were not recorded. Lives in the steppes Western Europe, in the forest-steppe regions of southern Russia, in the Caucasus, found in Crimea;
• Caucasian viper. Distinctive feature- bright color. Color varies from yellowish-orange to brick red. The snake is not large, rarely grows to 60 cm in length. Only isolated cases of death from its bite are known. Distributed in the regions of the Western Caucasus and Transcaucasia, found in Eastern Turkey. In the northern direction it lives on the territory of the Krasnodar Territory;
• long-nosed viper. It got its name due to the presence of a soft spike at the tip of its muzzle, shaped like a nose. It lives in the northeast of Italy, in the countries of the Balkan Peninsula, in Yugoslavia, Romania, in the regions of Asia Minor, in the mountains of Armenia and Georgia;
• noisy viper. The snake is large, with a thick body, reaching 1.5 meters in length. When an enemy is close, it emits a very loud hissing sound. The probability of death from a bite is 15–20%. Distributed throughout Africa;
• Gaboon viper. It has a thick body and grows up to 2 meters in length. The color of the snake is variegated and spectacular. Various colors form a clear geometric pattern on the surface of the snake. The snake is very calm and rarely attacks people. However, the bite of this viper almost always ends in the death of the victim: the snake has long fangs, which leads to the rapid penetration of poison into the body. Lives in Liberia South Sudan, Angola;
• common viper. It comes in gray and brown colors, with a dark stripe visible along the body. Fatalities after being bitten by this snake are rare. Distributed throughout Eurasia.

Photo gallery: representatives of the viper family

The common viper has a simple color different colors form a geometric pattern on the back of the Gaboon viper The Caucasian viper is distinguished by its bright color The snake has a powerful and thick body The steppe viper is a small snake The soft spine at the tip of the viper’s muzzle is similar to the nose

Viper ordinary people often mistaken for a snake. External signs snake, distinguishing it from a viper:

• there is no dark stripe along the ridge;
• uniform coloring;
• Below the head is a yellow collar.

The snake's distinctive feature is its bright yellow collar.

Unlike the viper, it is not poisonous.

The common viper can be found in many places:

• on forest edges;
• in the forest and spruce forest;
• V mixed forest with abundant grass cover;
• in the forest-steppe zone;
• on the banks of rivers and lakes;
• in the meadows;
• in rural gardens.

In summer, snakes make their nests in abandoned burrows of other animals, among large stones, under haystacks, and in rotten stumps. They can be forced to leave their home either by human intervention or by lack of food. Snakes hunt at night: they catch small rodents and birds. During the day they sleep in the nest or crawl out to bask in the sun, lying on paths, stumps, and stones. In winter they hibernate, which ends at the end of April.

Why does a snake bite a person?

The snake has no reason to attack. The viper is not aggressive and, when it encounters a person, crawls away. A snake bites if it feels threatened - this happens when a person accidentally steps on it or invades its habitat. Vipers live in groups, choosing places suitable for wintering. In such areas, the number of snakes can exceed 90 individuals per 1 hectare. When entering places where vipers accumulate, a person is exposed to increased danger.

Vipers hibernate in groups

Feeling a threat, the viper first hisses, rises above the ground, and scares the person with threatening throws. If a person makes sudden movements, the snake attacks.

Before attacking, the viper scares the victim

The viper has large fangs in its mouth. The poisonous gland is located above the upper jaw and is connected to it by an arcuate duct. This shape of the duct makes it possible to rotate the jaw, while the venom flows to the fangs without obstacles. When bitten, the temporal muscles located near the poisonous glands actively contract; the poison enters the person subcutaneously, intramuscularly or through a vascular canal. Upon penetration into a vessel, it spreads throughout the body instantly. The amount of poison is small, the snake uses it sparingly: it will take a long time to create a new portion.

In the viper's mouth there are two poisonous fangs, which the snake plunges into the victim.

Viper venom belongs to the group of hemovasotoxic poisons that can damage small vessels, destroy red blood cells and impair blood clotting. A snake bite is most dangerous in the spring: the venom contains more toxins than at other times. According to statistics, 1% of victims, most often small children, die from viper bites.

Vipers are excellent swimmers, so you can also find them in the water.

Vipers are excellent swimmers and can travel long distances through water.

Snake bites in water are rare. Vipers settle at a decent distance from the water and end up in it, crossing to the other side. The viper’s maneuverability in water is higher than that of a human; when threatened, the snake will try to swim away quickly.

Symptoms of a viper bite

The severity of symptoms from a viper bite depends on factors:

• body weight of the victim. The less a person weighs, the more pronounced the symptoms after a bite. Therefore, small children suffer it more severely than adults;
• localization of wounds from snake teeth. Bites to a blood vessel, the surface of the head and neck pose a particular threat;
• air temperature. At high temperature intoxication of the body occurs more actively;
• amount of poison. A viper bite can occur without injection of poison if the viper has recently sunk its teeth into a person or animal and a new portion of poison has not yet been produced.

Local symptoms:

Common signs of a snake bite:

• weakness throughout the body;
• dizziness;
• headache;
• tachycardia;
• nausea;
• vomit.

If a child is bitten or the venom of a viper gets into a vessel, the symptoms appear quickly and are severe:

• the motor function of the bitten limb is impaired;
• paralysis spreads to the entire body, affecting the muscles of the face;
• breathing becomes intermittent and heavy;
• swallowing function decreases;
• heart function is disrupted;
• uncontrolled urination is observed.

First aid

Actions to take when bitten by a viper:

1. Immediately go to the hospital or call an ambulance.
2. Try to suck out the poison. This action gives results within 10-15 minutes after the snake bite, before swelling appears. The latter indicates that the poison has spread to the surrounding tissues and there is no point in continuing the procedure. The skin around the wound is folded and squeezed so that drops of blood appear. The sucked liquid is immediately spat out. The person sucking out the poison must rinse his mouth with a disinfectant solution after the procedure. If there is no antiseptic, use water to rinse.
3. Treat the bite site with hydrogen peroxide, chlorhexidine or another antiseptic.
4. Immobilize the bitten part of the body: with activity, the spread of poison throughout the body accelerates. If the bite is made in the hand, the limb is fixed in a bent position. If the bite is made in the leg, then it is tied to the second lower limb, and the victim is laid so that the legs are above the level of the pelvis. This pose stabilizes blood circulation.
5. Apply a loose bandage to the wound. Use a bandage or clean cloth.
6. To reduce swelling, periodically apply cold to the wound, best option- ice. Every 5–7 minutes, the cold is removed from the bite site to avoid frostbite of the limb.
7. The victim needs to drink a lot: about 3 liters of liquid. Use water, juices, soda.
8. If possible, take an antihistamine: Zyrtec, Suprastin, Tavegil, Fenkarol.

Before receiving medical help, it is prohibited:

• use alcohol to treat the wound;
• apply a tourniquet (tight bandage) to the surface of the bite. This will provoke necrosis of the limb;
• cut the wound yourself to release the poison. There is a high probability of infection;
• apply earth or grass to the wound. There is a risk of contracting tetanus;
• the victim should drink alcohol, which increases intoxication of the body and reduces the effect of the anti-snake serum.

Video: how to behave correctly if bitten by a viper

Medical care in hospital

In the hospital, treatment of a viper bite occurs according to a certain scheme:

1. Serum is injected.
2. Infusion of glucose, Ringer's, and sodium chloride solutions is used to eliminate toxins from the body.
3. Diuretics are prescribed (Furosemide, Trifas).
4. The victim is given an antihistamine to take orally or administered intramuscularly, if this is not done before arriving at the hospital.
5. A tetanus vaccination is given regardless of whether the person has been vaccinated regularly or not.
6. Glucocorticoids (Dexamethasone, Prednisol) are prescribed, which have anti-inflammatory and antiallergic effects.
7. To avoid a purulent process in the body, broad-spectrum antibiotics (Cefotaxime, Cefepime) are used.
8. For preventive purposes, in order to prevent liver and kidney failure, hepatoprotectors (Berlition, Gepadif) are prescribed.
9. In case of severe intoxication of the body, hemodialysis is performed.
10. For symptoms of heart failure, Cordiamine and Caffeine are used.
11. In case of excessive bleeding, blood transfusions are used.
12. If the victim begins to have convulsions, calcium gluconate is administered intravenously.

When bitten by a viper, Serum is used against the venom of the common viper. It must be administered within a few hours after the snake bite. The serum contains antibodies that can neutralize snake venom. The antidote is based on horse serum. It is important to pay attention to some points:

• The serum is used only for a viper bite; if a person has been injured by other snakes, the antidote will not work. It is also prohibited to administer serums intended to neutralize the venom of other types of snakes when bitten by a viper. Previously, Antigyurza serum was used in hospitals, but its action was not always effective and it caused many side effects;
• The serum must be administered by a doctor. Improper use of antivenom can harm the victim. There is a possibility of anaphylactic shock due to allergic reaction to a foreign protein;
• The serum is administered subcutaneously in a dosage of 0.1 ml. If there is no allergic reaction at the injection site, another 0.25 ml of antidote is administered after 20 minutes. Then, after 15 minutes, the rest of the antidote is used. The doctor selects the required volume of administered serum based on the severity of symptoms;
• if poison intoxication is severe, the antidote is administered intravenously using a dropper.

Diagnosis of a viper bite

The hospital conducts a thorough diagnosis of the patient's condition. The necessary studies are prescribed:

• general blood analysis. Allows you to estimate the number of leukocytes, platelets, red blood cells, hemoglobin level;
• blood chemistry. Helps track performance internal organs. The toxic effects of the venom can affect the functioning of the kidneys and liver. Liver parameters are assessed: bilirubin, ALT (alanine aminotransferase), AST (aspartate aminotransferase), alkaline phosphatase, albumin; renal parameters: uric acid, creatinine, urea;
• Coagulogram is a test that helps evaluate blood clotting. The prothrombin index (PTI), fibrinogen, thrombosed time and other indicators are determined;
• general urine analysis. Helps track changes in the functioning of the urinary system;
• electrocardiogram. This test monitors abnormalities in the heart;
• chest x-ray. It is done if pulmonary edema is suspected.

Treatment prognosis and possible complications

If an adult is bitten by a viper, but first aid is provided correctly, the victim is quickly taken to the hospital, the prognosis is generally good.

When small children are bitten, the consequences are more severe and death can occur. Before arriving at the hospital, severe intoxication of the body may occur, which leads to liver or kidney failure. Therefore, it is important to get the child to the hospital as quickly as possible.

A pregnant woman has a high risk of intoxication not only of her own body, but also of the fetus. After a snake attack, you should undergo a thorough examination.

If a person refuses medical care after a snake bite, complications may develop:

• tetanus;
• lymphedema;
• phlebothrombosis.

There are bacteria in the viper's mouth, and after a bite there is a possibility of developing tetanus. It can also be caused by soil or dirty grass getting into the wound if hygiene rules are not followed. Symptoms of tetanus:

Tetanus is often fatal.

Lymphedema is a condition in which, due to infection, the outflow of fluid through the lymphatic vessels is disrupted, causing swelling of the soft tissues of the affected limb. Symptoms:

Conservative treatment of lymphedema does not always give a positive result, and there is often a need for surgical intervention.

Phlebothrombosis may occur in the bitten limb, which is characterized by the formation of blood clots in the veins. Symptoms:

Phlebothrombosis is treated surgically.

How to protect yourself from trouble

A viper bite can be avoided if you follow simple rules:

When stopping in the forest for the night, take steps to reduce the risk of a viper attack:

• create strong vibrations in the soil: stomp, jump. Snakes will leave such a place;
• close tents tightly. Press the edges of the tent to the ground with stones;
• do not leave clothes outside the tent;
• Be careful when moving through the forest at night. Snakes are active in dark time days.

A person is able to prevent a snake from attacking; the safety rules are simple and straightforward. If an incident has already occurred, do not panic: stressful situation we often do wrong things. Try to get it as quickly as possible medical care and don't give up on it.

Not to mention American rattlesnakes, which have instant reactions and deadly poison, an unsuccessful meeting with which has a very high chance of becoming the last. But, nevertheless, among the reptiles that live in our latitudes, the viper is the most dangerous. Speaking of the name of this snake, the word “viper” goes back to ancient times and literally comes from the word “reptile”, which meant disgusting animals, which is the heroine of our article today.

Viper: description, structure, characteristics. What does a viper look like?

Many vipers have a short and thick body. The maximum length of a viper reaches 3-4 meters, while small snakes can be up to 30 cm long. The weight of an adult large viper is approximately 15-17 kg.

All species of vipers also have a flattened, rounded-triangular skull shape with noticeable temporal protrusions. At the tip of the muzzle of some species of this snake there are single or paired formations - the so-called modified scales.

The viper's eyes are small, have vertical pupils that can contract and expand, filling the entire eye. Thanks to this, vipers can see at night just as well as during the day; in general, the vision of these snakes is well developed.

The color of a viper can take on a variety of colors, depending on its species. Also on her body there can be a variety of simple patterns. But in any case, the colors of the viper depend on where it is located and are designed to blend in as much as possible with the surrounding space.

All vipers, however, like other poisonous snakes, have a pair of well-developed fangs, which are also devices for releasing poison. The latter is formed in the poisonous glands that are located behind the upper jaw of the snake. The teeth of a viper can be up to 4 cm in length. When the mouth is closed, they are folded and covered with a special film fabric.

During an attack or defense, the snake's mouth opens at an angle of 180 degrees, the jaw rotates, and the fangs extend forward. When the viper's jaws close, a sharp contraction occurs strong muscles, surrounding the poisonous glands, as a result of which there is a release of poison, which is more similar to a blow than a bite.

What do vipers eat in the wild?

The viper is a notorious predator, and also leads a nocturnal lifestyle. These snakes prefer to attack their prey from an ambush, quickly biting it with their poisonous fangs; the poison kills the victim within a few minutes, then the viper begins its meal, usually swallowing the prey whole.

The viper's main menu consists of a variety of small rodents, marsh frogs, and some birds. Small vipers feed on large beetles, locusts, and can catch caterpillars and.

Natural enemies of vipers

Vipers also have their own enemies, who, despite the presence of poisonous fangs, are not averse to feasting on this snake. Among them are ferrets, badgers, wild ones (surprisingly, viper venom has no effect on wild boars at all), and also a number birds of prey: owls, herons, storks and eagles. And also among the enemies of vipers are vipers, which, although they do not feast on them, often engage in fights with these reptiles, from which they usually emerge victorious.

How long does a viper live?

Usually average duration The lifespan of a viper in nature is 15 years, but some specimens can live up to 30 years.

Where does the viper live?

In fact, vipers live not only in our latitudes but also over a much wider geographic range; they can be found in almost any climatic conditions and landscapes: Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas, Australia and New Zealand.

Lifestyle of vipers

Typically, these snakes lead a sedentary lifestyle, only occasionally making forced migrations to wintering areas. Vipers spend most of their time basking in the sun or hiding under stones.

Where and how do vipers winter?

Vipers begin to worry about wintering in October-November. For “winter apartments,” burrows are sought that go up to 2 m into the ground, so that the temperature inside remains above zero. If there are many vipers living in this area, then many individuals can winter in one such hole. In March-April, when the spring sun begins to warm, vipers crawl out of their winter shelters and begin to reproduce.

Viper venom - consequences of the bite and symptoms

The venom of a viper is not as potent as, for example, that of a cobra or a rattlesnake, but in some cases it can be fatal to humans. Therefore, it would not be superfluous to remind once again that from the viper, as well as from all poisonous snakes It's worth staying away.

On the other hand, viper venom has found its use for medical purposes; a number of products are made from it medicines, it is also used in the production of cosmetics. According to its chemical structure, viper venom consists of proteins, lipids, peptides, amino acids and salt and sugar of inorganic origin. Preparations from it help as a painkiller for neuralgia, rheumatism, hypertension, and skin diseases.

When bitten, the viper's venom enters the human body through the lymph nodes and from there instantly ends up in the blood. Symptoms of a viper bite: burning pain, there will be redness and swelling around the bite site, as a result of intoxication there will be dizziness, nausea, chills, rapid heartbeat. Needless to say, if you are bitten by a viper, you should immediately seek professional medical help.

Viper bite - first aid

What to do if you are bitten by a viper, and bitten far from civilization (and this most often happens), somewhere in the mountains and forests:

• The first step is to provide rest to the bitten area by securing it with something like a splint, or by tying the bent arm with a scarf. After a bite, it is very undesirable to move actively to avoid the rapid spread of poison throughout the body.
• By pressing your finger at the bite site, you should try to open the wound and suck out the poison. You can do this with your mouth, then spitting out the saliva, but only if there is no damage in the mouth: cracks, scratches, otherwise the poison can enter the blood through the mouth. The poison must be sucked out continuously for 15-20 minutes.
• After this, the bite site must be disinfected with any available means, maybe vodka, cologne, iodine, and a clean and slightly pressure bandage must be applied to it.
• It is advisable to drink as much liquid as possible, water, weak tea, but under no circumstances coffee and certainly nothing alcoholic.
• At the first opportunity, it is imperative to seek qualified medical help from a doctor.

How is it different from a viper?

Very often, vipers are confused with other snakes, for example with the completely harmless snake, which is not surprising, because both snakes are very similar, they have a similar color, and live in the same places. And yet there are a number of differences between them, which we will write about further:

• Despite the similar color, appearance These snakes have one significant difference - the grass snake has two yellow or orange spots on its head, while the viper does not have them.
• There is also a difference in the spots on the scales: in snakes the spots are in a checkerboard pattern, while in vipers there is a zigzag stripe on the back that runs along the entire body.
• The eyes of a snake and a viper are different; the viper has a vertical pupil, while the snake has a round pupil.
• Perhaps the most important difference is the presence of poisonous fangs in the viper, which are simply absent in the snake.
• Usually it is longer than a viper, although a large viper may be caught that will be longer than a small snake.
• The snake's tail is longer and thinner, while the viper's tail is short and thick.

Types of vipers, photos and names

In nature, zoologists have counted more than 250 species of vipers, but we will focus on the most interesting of them.

The most common of vipers, living over a wide geographical range, including on the territory of our country, so when hiking in the Carpathian Mountains or simply collecting in the forest, you should carefully look at your feet so as not to accidentally step on this snake. The common viper is usually 60-70 cm long and weighs from 50 to 180 grams. Moreover, females are usually larger than males. The color of common vipers can be different: black, light gray, yellow-brown, depending on where they live.

A characteristic feature of this viper is the presence of a scaly outgrowth at the tip of its muzzle, very similar to a nose. The length of this viper is 60-70 cm, the body color is gray, sandy, or red-brown. This species of viper lives in southern Europe and Asia Minor: Italy, Greece, Turkey, Syria, Georgia.

Steppe viper

It actually lives in the steppes of southern and southeastern Europe, and is also found on the territory of our Ukraine. The length of this snake is 64 cm, the color is gray-brown, and a zigzag stripe runs along the back of the steppe viper.

A characteristic feature of this type of viper is the small horns located above the snake’s eyes. It is 60-80 cm long, its body is creamy-light green in color and dotted with small dark brown spots. The horned keffiyeh lives in southeast Asia, in particular in China, India, and Indonesia.

She is also the Burmese fairy viper; she received her second name thanks to the zoologist Leonard Fea, who studied her. Lives in Asia, China, Tibet, Burma, Vietnam. The length of this viper is 80 cm. It has large scutes on its head, its body is gray-brown with yellow stripes, and its head is completely yellow.

This is perhaps the most dangerous viper in the world; its bite in 4 out of 5 cases leads to death. But fortunately, the noisy viper does not live in our area; it lives exclusively in Africa and the south of the Arabian Peninsula. It has a golden yellow or dark beige color, with a U-shaped pattern running along the body.

This type of viper has a special decoration on its face in the form of vertically protruding scales. The thick body of this snake can reach up to 1.2 m in length, and it is also very covered. beautiful patterns. Lives in wet forests equatorial Africa.

Labaria or kaisaya

One of the largest vipers, its length can reach up to 2.5 m. It has a lemon yellow color, due to which it is also called “yellow beard”. This viper lives in South America.

She is also the Levant viper, also one of the most dangerous vipers, its venom is second only to that of the cobra in its toxicity. It is also a very large snake, its body length can reach up to 2 m and weigh up to 3 kg. Body color is usually gray-brown. The Gyurza lives in Asia and North Africa.

This is the smallest viper in the world, and due to its size it is relatively harmless, although, of course, its bite can cause unpleasant consequences. The length of the dwarf viper does not exceed 25 cm. It lives in central Africa.

Bushmaster or surukuku

But this is the opposite, the largest viper in the world, its body length can be up to 4 m and weighs up to 5 kg. Lives in humid tropical forests Central America.

How do vipers reproduce?

Breeding of vipers usually begins in March-May; with the onset of spring warmth, the mating season of these snakes begins. Viper eggs are formed in the womb of the female, and small snakes hatch there and emerge into the world either in late summer or early autumn. One medium-sized viper usually gives birth to 8-12 babies.

The process of birth of new reptiles is taking place in an interesting way: a pregnant female wraps her tail around a tree trunk, while holding her tail suspended and simply scatters her cubs on the ground, by the way, already fully formed and ready for independent life. The length of newborn snakes is 10-12 cm, they immediately molt, and subsequently they molt 1-2 times a month.

• In some nations, vipers are even considered sacred, such as the temple keffiyehs on the island of Penang. They are specially taken to the snake temple and hung on trees. Local residents consider vipers to be guardians of the hearth.
• Dried pit viper meat is in demand among Chinese and Japanese gourmets. It is also used in folk healing.

Viper, video

And finally interesting documentary from the Net Geo Wild channel about vipers.

They call it a viper poisonous snake with a short and thick body. This reptile belongs to the viperolidae family, the order of squamates. The word "viper" is directly related to the concept of "reptile". In ancient times, this was the name given to all animals considered disgusting by humans.

Common viper

Appearance

• The body length sometimes reaches two meters, and the weight of the largest individual today is seventeen kilograms.
• Her skull is round-triangular in shape, somewhat thickened on the sides. The snout is blunt, and the temples protrude forward.
• The eyes are small and the pupils are vertical, allowing them to contract or dilate throughout the eye. The roller of scales on the upper eyelid gives the viper an angry and serious appearance.
• Modified scales grow at the tip of the front part of the head. In some vipers, such scales are located above the eye sockets, which is why the snake looks somewhat horned.
• The color of the skin depends on the area in which the viper lives. But they are all painted with intricate designs.

Its color originally provided camouflage for hunting and protection from enemies. Thus, the desert viper is painted in yellow-sand tones with brown ornaments, and the tree viper has greenish skin and completely invisible against the background of leaves.

The pride of any poisonous snake is its fangs, which contain glands with poison. The teeth are usually four centimeters long and are located on the upper jaw. A special feature of the structure of teeth is their mobility in the mouth. They grow on a movable bone that gives them the ability to rotate like on hinges.

Habitats and lifestyle

They live on almost all continents. Largest quantity they can be found in Africa, Asia and Europe. The habitats of reptiles are also very diverse. She thrives in wet swamps, arid steppes and hot deserts. A relatively small population of vipers lives in the northern forests, preferring rocky terrain. Hence such a large variety of these snakes.

Usually these reptiles live and crawl on the surface of the earth, but there are also individuals who prefer life underground. Atractaspis, a viper of the genus Stiletto viper, is a representative of underground species.

The most common species is the common steppe. The geography of its habitat includes Asia and Europe. A small population has been spotted in the Far North. But the largest number of steppe vipers live in the steppes of Kazakhstan. The reptile lives in rodent burrows, rock crevices and tree hollows. Leads a sedentary lifestyle, trying not to go far from its usual habitat. Often having overwintered in a hole, it leaves the house and lives in the open air until the cold weather.

To feel comfortable, the reptile tries to choose a territory where it will have no competitors in the search for prey. For this, the viper can even commit a long way two or three kilometers.

In order not to die from frost, vipers can burrow one meter or more into the ground. They usually winter in groups, but can also be alone.

As soon as the sun warms the earth in spring, the snake crawls out of its holes and basks with pleasure on the warm stones. At such moments, random people often discover her. Unfortunately, meeting her is not safe and often ends with a snake attack. Viper venom in most cases leads to death.

The length of the steppe viper is slightly less than a meter, and the male is shorter than the female. Her head and the rest of her body are clearly demarcated, which gives her a certain elegance. There are two shields on the muzzle: one parietal and the other frontal. The skull is round oval with a movable upper jaw and the same teeth. The teeth themselves are hollow inside with poisonous glands. During a bite, the venom fills the dental cavities and penetrates through the wound into the victim.

A special feature of the steppe viper is the stripe running along its back. It can be either smooth or zigzag. The skin color is sandy or gray with a bluish pattern. Moreover, males have skin of the following shades: purple, gray or blue. That is, all cool colors. While females are brighter and painted in warm colors: yellow, red, sand and green.

You can also distinguish a male from a female by the following characteristics: the bottom of the tail of males is light, and there are light spots on the lips. Females have a bright lower tail yellow color, and there are red and pink spots on the lips.

Their color does not begin to appear immediately, but only after a year, and reptiles are born all equally brown.

Viper and so on

Snakes have always lived next to humans while vipers left and still leave as soon as a person settles in the neighborhood. True, in Lately because of hopelessness, on the contrary, they began to be noticed in holiday villages near burnt forests. But it's more likely forced relocation, because forest fires drive forest inhabitants towards people.

Unfortunately, very often people confuse snakes and grass snakes. To an ordinary person It can be difficult to distinguish them, and if they are not nearby, then it is completely impossible. Serpentologists have collected the main signs of difference that can help you:

In order to attack its prey, the viper has to make several lunges. Poor vision prevents her from focusing on the silhouette of the target of attack. In addition, the snake’s venom is formed rather slowly, and it tries to save it and not waste it for any reason. This can play into the hands of the person who encounters the viper. In most cases, it simply crawls to the side.

Upon closer examination, you can notice other differences between the grass snake and its poisonous counterparts. For example, by scales, which in snakes are not divided into two parts like in snakes. There are other signs, but they are not so important when meeting a viper. It will not be possible to notice them quickly, but approaching the unknown reptiles are strictly prohibited.

Snake venom, as already mentioned, is extremely dangerous. Even dead snake he's a viper for a long time retains its properties. If you are overcome by curiosity and want to pick up a non-living reptile, do not touch its teeth, they are still poisonous. Snakes have no poisonous teeth.

What to do if you are bitten

This poisonous reptile feels the approach of a person with his body. Lying on the ground, vibrations are clearly transmitted to her, by which she understands that they are approaching her. She sees poorly, since her vision radius covers no more than two meters.

It is important to understand that snakes and snakes themselves are not aggressive and people are not of interest to them until they feel threatened. Rather, on the contrary, the snake will try to avoid a collision with a person as much as possible.

Snakes spend most of their time in the summer and spring, as well as in early autumn, basking in the sun. To do this, they choose stumps and stones. This behavior of reptiles is not accidental, with the help sun rays they stimulate digestion processes. Because of their cold-bloodedness, their metabolic processes are slowed down.

If a bite does occur, stick to it following rules behavior:

To prevent this from happening, take care of your own safety. The best way Snake bite protection is clothing that will protect your limbs. Be sure to wear tall boots, thick fabric trousers and wool socks. There should be a stick in your hands.

• Cut the wound to extract the poison.
• Cauterizes and carries out various manipulations other than sucking out the poison.
• Lubricate the wound with iodine or treat it with a manganese solution.

What do they eat

Most often, small rodents become victims of reptile venom. And also, snakes are happy to pass on their small relatives - frogs and lizards. Chicks left unattended or dropped from the nest also become food for vipers.

Baby snakes, due to their small size, are content with eating beetles and caterpillars.

How do they reproduce?

The difference between vipers and other snakes is that she is viviparous. This is a rather rare occurrence among the serpentine order. The cubs mature in the womb and are born in August. Mating season for snakes it takes all of May. Childbirth in vipers is very interesting. The female wraps herself around the tree so that her tail hangs down freely. Newborn cubs simply fall to the ground during birth and quickly crawl away. They immediately molt, after which they become poisonous and completely independent.

At one time, up to twenty babies are born to a viper. They will become sexually mature only in the third year of life, and snakes live for about fifteen years. At the end of life, vipers acquire quite impressive sizes.

Active period in snakes comes during the day when they hunt, and after it they bask in the sun while digesting their prey.

Types of vipers

The most common species found in our country are: common viper, steppe viper and Nikolsky viper. Among them, the most common is the common viper.

It can be found in almost all climatic zones. There is no area where a snake could live. Its length is a little more than half a meter. There are black individuals, but most often it is gray with a dark zigzag pattern on the back. Its bite is extremely dangerous.

The steppe snake is slightly smaller in size than an ordinary snake, and its color is distinguished by the presence brown shades in the ornament. Despite its name, most often steppe the viper can be found in the forests

Nikolsky's viper has a body length reaching eighty centimeters. Its color is dark and practically without patterns. The body in the abdominal area is somewhat expanded, which is why it looks like a barrel.

The viper is a poisonous snake common in Russia. Many people are afraid of poisonous snakes, as their bite can be not only painful, but even fatal. In order to avoid danger from encountering such reptiles, you need to know where they are found, what they look like, and what to do if they are bitten.

Viper habitats

Vipers are usually called a whole family of snakes- vipers. It is numerous and consists of a large number of species. Snakes of this family live in Eurasia, and. There are now 292 species, included in the family.

The following species of vipers live in Russia:

• ordinary;
• steppe;
• Caucasian;
• black.

Because the most common of them is ordinary, then the message will focus mainly on this poisonous snake. Its habitat is very wide - all forest-steppe zones of Europe and Asia. It can be found in Siberia and on Far East; in the taiga, swamps, banks of lakes and rivers, forests and fields, right up to the Arctic Circle.

The common viper is very unpretentious. The main thing for her is the availability of food, opportunity to hide in tall grass or crevices. Loves to bask in the sun. The period of greatest activity of the snake is May-September. Vipers overwinter in burrows and other depressions, intertwining themselves into a large ball. Snakes hunt in the dark. The main loot is:

• shrews;
• bird eggs from nests on the ground.

How is a viper different from a snake?

Very often the poisonous viper is confused with. In order not to harm such useful reptiles as the common grass snake, you should determine how they differ and how they are similar.

Similarities between viper and snake:

• Both the viper and the viper do not attack a person first; when they meet a person, they flee. If you step on them, they may bite. But the bite is no longer poisonous.
• They love bodies of water.
• Basking in the sun.

Differences:

• The main difference between snakes and all other snakes is yellow or orange spots on the sides of the head. The viper does not have such spots.
• Vipers have a zigzag pattern on their backs. But on dark-colored snakes, the zigzag may not be noticeable.
• Snakes have long tails and are generally longer than vipers. Snakes can reach sizes of up to 1.5 meters, vipers - 0.75-1 meter.
• Average size – 65 cm.
• Vipers have a more triangular head, covered with small scutes. Snakes have large scutes.
• The eyes are very different: the viper has a vertical pupil, the snake has a round pupil.

If you know and remember these differences, then the fear of all snakes will go away. After all, many of them are safe.

What to do if you are bitten by a viper?

I common viper It is not fatal for humans, and a snake bite most often does not lead to the death of a person. But the consequences of a bite can be very unpleasant, and if there is an allergy and lack of timely assistance, death can even occur.

First of all, all outdoor recreationists, mushroom pickers, fishermen and summer residents need to take care of their protection, and when heading to places where there may be snakes, wear high boots and clothes made of thick fabric. When meeting a viper, you should not wave your arms or make sudden movements, but rather wait until it crawls away.

If, nevertheless, the viper bites, it is necessary, if possible, to limit the movement of the victim so that the poison does not spread throughout the body, apply a pressure bandage to the bitten limb, and take the bitten person to the hospital as soon as possible. It is important to give him plenty of fluids.

It is forbidden:

• cauterize the bitten area;
• cut it and bleed;
• apply tourniquets.

Question - Is it worth sucking the poison out of the wound?- is controversial. Not all doctors consider this procedure harmless and useful.

A viper bite can cause severe swelling, dizziness, headache, nausea, and chills.

In the hospital, a special serum is injected into the victim, and the effect of the snake’s venom is neutralized.

If this message was useful to you, I would be glad to see you

Snakes rarely evoke positive emotions: reptile with an unblinking gaze and all that. Many people, when they see a viper, simply experience wild fear. Crazy horror.

The explanation is simple - fear for one’s own life is inherent in a person by nature itself at the genetic level. I myself am seriously afraid of poisonous snakes. However, is everything so scary?

Few people know that the viper is a fairly peaceful reptile. When a person appears, the only thing she tries to do is hide and thereby save her life. A viper bite, as a manifestation of aggression, is an extreme protective measure. We’ll talk about the consequences of a viper bite and first aid a little later. First, let's get to know this snake better.

Bites from viper snakes are not that uncommon in areas where they are common. The common viper, steppe viper and Pallas's copperhead live on the territory of Russia.

Viper venom has the ability to increase the permeability of the vascular wall (hemorrhages appear), causes blood clotting and tissue necrosis in the bite area. Deaths account for less than 1% of those bitten and are mainly associated with delayed first aid or incorrect use of the antidote for a viper bite. It is dangerous if the bite falls on the neck and head area, small children, elderly people or patients with chronic diseases are affected.

The viper, like many poisonous snakes, is characterized by a triangular head shape, noticeably widened towards the back of the head, a short, snub-nosed muzzle and a vertical pupil. The head is covered with many small differently colored scales, often forming a pattern in the shape of the letter V. The tail is shorter, thicker and goes to the body with a sharper drop, especially in females.

The head of the snake is oval, covered, like a lizard, with large scales, the muzzle is elongated, the pupil is round; the tail is thin and long. On the back of the head there are usually light (to orange) spots, but in some species there are dark spots, sometimes merging on the neck into a “necklace”. Excluding these common features for snakes, the pattern of the body of some of them is indistinguishable from the color of a viper, which is also very diverse.

The main active components of viper venom are high molecular weight proteases with hemorrhagic, hemocoagulating and necrotizing effects and low molecular weight neurotropic cytotoxins, although in smaller quantities than in cobra venom. After a viper bite, hemorrhagic edema, necrosis and hemorrhagic penetration of tissues in the area of ​​​​injection of the poison quickly occur, accompanied by dizziness, lethargy, headache, nausea, and shortness of breath. Subsequently, progressive shock of complex origin, acute anemia, intravascular coagulation, and increased capillary permeability develop. In severe cases, degenerative changes occur in the liver and kidneys.

At the site of the viper bite, two punctate wounds from the snake’s poisonous teeth are visible. The bite causes severe, increasing pain. Already in the first minutes, hyperemia of the bitten part of the body occurs (excessive filling of blood vessels). Swelling spreads upward from the bite site. When poison enters the bloodstream, a general reaction can develop immediately or half an hour or an hour after the bite. Most often this happens within 15-20 minutes. Dizziness, lethargy, headache, nausea, sometimes vomiting, shortness of breath, and rapid pulse appear. According to the mechanism of toxic action, the venom of the common viper is a poison of predominantly hemorrhagic (causing hemorrhage), blood clotting and local edematous-necrotic action. The closer the bite is to the head, the more dangerous it is. In spring, viper venom is more toxic than in summer.

The venom released by the viper has a hemolytic effect on the human body. After a bite, painful swelling with multiple small hemorrhages is observed in the affected area. In addition, vascular thrombosis and hemorrhages of internal organs may appear. The bite site is marked by two deep wounds left by the snake's poisonous teeth, in which the blood is quickly baked, preventing further bleeding. The tissue surrounding the wound usually turns blue and swells. If the hands are affected, after a while the fingers may stop bending, this is explained by the painful swelling that spreads to the elbow.

The victim may feel nausea, chills and fever. In some cases, there is a deterioration in cardiac function, dizziness and severe vomiting. This is due to extensive damage circulatory system, which is accompanied by a sharp decrease blood pressure and internal blood loss, which leads to general weakness and even loss of consciousness. IN severe cases convulsions and increased agitation may occur. The result of such complications can be death, which usually occurs within half an hour, although sometimes the death of the victim is possible after a day or more.

Factors influencing the severity of consequences from a snake bite.

Several factors influence the severity of the consequences of a snake bite.

· Age, body size and health status of the patient. Intoxication in children is usually severe and death is more likely in them, since a relatively large dose of poison falls on the smaller body of the victim.

· Bite site. Bites to a limb or fatty tissue are less dangerous than bites to the torso, face, or directly to a blood vessel. Direct damage from poisonous teeth is more dangerous than scratches, glancing blows or blows to bone. The outlet for the venom in the snake’s poisonous tooth is located significantly above its apex; thus, the tip of the poisonous tooth can penetrate the skin without causing intoxication; even a thin layer of clothing can provide significant protection. Due to the fact that the wound from a snake bite is superficial, approximately 20% of patients bitten by poisonous snakes will not develop intoxication, even if the poisonous teeth penetrate the skin.

· Snake size(a large pit viper is capable of injecting its victim with more than 1000 mg of poison, which is six times the lethal dose for an adult); the degree of irritation or fear experienced by the snake (if the snake is touched, it can inject more poison); the condition of the venom teeth (broken or recently replaced) and the condition of the venom glands (recently emptied or full). All of these factors are important.

Contrary to popular belief, the bite of a snake that has recently killed an animal and is well fed is not necessarily less poisonous to humans; the snake usually does not fully expend its venom in a single bite.

· The presence of various bacteria, especially clostridia and other anaerobic microorganisms, in the snake's mouth or on the skin of its prey. This can lead to severe infection in the necrotic tissue at the site of the bite.

· Exercise stress or exertion, such as running, immediately after the bite. This speeds up the systemic absorption of the poison.

In most cases, you can protect yourself from the bite of a viper or any other snake by following basic rules of behavior in potentially dangerous places:

1. Unless you are a specialist snake catcher and don't understand the types of snakes, it is best not to touch them or allow children to play with them.

2. In areas where snakes live, give preference to durable high shoes.

3. Stay vigilant in thick grass and overgrown holes. Before you set foot there, check for vipers lurking there.

4. Never chase a snake.

5. When picking mushrooms or berries, feel the grass around them with a stick. This will allow the viper to crawl away and at least detect itself by hissing

6. If you see a snake crawling, do not move until it crawls away.

7. If the snake has taken a threatening pose, slowly step back without making any sudden movements. Do not put your hands forward in defense. Do not turn your back to the snake. If you have a stick, hold it in front of you towards the snake. Do not run from a snake you encounter; you may step on another one that was previously unnoticed.

8. Use a flashlight at night, as some snakes are especially active on warm summer nights.

9. Promptly destroy rodents in your homes, outbuildings, and garden plots, since mice and rats are very attractive to snakes.

10. If you live in areas where poisonous snakes live, as a preventive measure, coat the threshold of your house with mustard every day. Snakes are very sensitive to it and, as a rule, do not crawl over objects treated with it.

11. Do not spend the night near trees with hollows, near rotten stumps, caves, or garbage heaps. In steppe conditions, carefully inspect your bed or sleeping bag before going to bed. If you see a snake in your bed in the morning, do not panic, do not make sudden movements that could provoke its attack. It’s better to call for help and wait for the snake to crawl away on its own. With some skill, you can try to throw off a snake that is on a blanket or sleeping bag with a sudden sharp movement, while not forgetting about your neighbors in the tent.

First aid.

If you are bitten by a viper, you should immediately seek medical help. On the way to a medical facility, it is very important to keep the bitten part of the body motionless. The limb can be fixed using an ordinary scarf or sticks.

If there is no hope for medical help in the near future, then:

1. Move the victim to a comfortable and protected location. Place him so that his head is lower than his body, which will reduce the severity of possible cerebrovascular accidents. Provide the victim with complete peace.
2. Using pressure movements, open the wound and begin to actively suck out the venom with your mouth, massaging the bite area towards the wounds. Intensive suction during the first 5-7 minutes allows you to remove up to 40% of the poison, while after 15-30 minutes this figure decreases to 10%. If a hand is bitten, the victim himself can suck out the poison.
3. When sucking, you should periodically spit out the bloody liquid, and at the end of the procedure, you should rinse your mouth with potassium permanganate or plain water. It should be noted that if there are wounds in the mouth or dental caries, it is strictly forbidden to suck out the poison with your mouth.
4. When the first signs of swelling appear, stop suction and treat the bitten area with antiseptics. The use of brilliant green is not recommended, as it will make it more difficult for the doctor to examine the wound.
5. Apply a sterile bandage to the damaged area, loosen it as swelling develops to avoid it cutting into the soft tissue.
6. To slow the spread of poison in the body, minimize movement of the affected part of the body. If your hand is bitten, bend it and fix it in this position. You can apply a splint.
7. To normalize the water-salt balance and remove poison from the body, provide the victim with plenty of fluids. Give him plenty of broth or water.
8. If possible, give the victim 2-3 tablets of an antihistamine.
9. Do everything in your power to get the viper bite victim to the nearest medical facility as quickly as possible. If there are no vehicles, transport the victim on a stretcher.

Many people consider the introduction of a special serum to be a panacea for a viper bite. You can buy it at a pharmacy before traveling out of town. However, doctors do not recommend doing this, since this drug requires special conditions storage, and its shelf life is very limited. In addition, in most cases you can get by with more gentle means.

What you should never do (!)

You should not give alcohol, tea, coffee, as they stimulate the heart, but you need water to avoid dehydration. Previously prescribed corticotherapy and heparin (for local use) do not in any way prevent the development of edema and necrosis! It is also not recommended to apply a tourniquet as it disrupts normal blood flow, which can cause irreversible consequences. Never instruct anyone to administer serum or other drugs outside of a medical facility - the medicine may cause harm. more harm than a bite.

The antidote for a viper bite is a specific serum. This is what it's called: “Serum against the venom of the common viper”. It is produced in biofactories, based on horse serum. The antibodies contained in it neutralize the venom of the common viper. The drug is a clear liquid in a glass ampoule. The volume depends on the activity of the drug in each batch, but not more than 3 ml. There are also foreign analogues of the medicine.