Snake Safety In Azerbaijan: What You Need To Know

Azerbaijan is home to a variety of snakes, with sources citing anywhere from 22 to 29 species. Of these, around eight are venomous, five are semi-venomous, and the rest are non-venomous. The country's diverse landscape, ranging from extreme mountains to lowland forests, plains, and wetlands, provides a habitat for these snakes. The Caucasian pit viper, the horned viper, and the Levantine viper are some of the most well-known venomous snakes in Azerbaijan, with the latter being responsible for several bite incidents due to its preference for urban areas. The Grass Snake, on the other hand, is a non-venomous species commonly found in both wet and dry habitats across the country.

Azerbaijan is home to 219 animal species, including snakes

Azerbaijan is home to a diverse range of animal species, with 219 tracked species in the country, including snakes. The country's landscape varies from extreme mountains to lowlands, with the Greater Caucasus Mountains in the north and the Lesser Caucasus mountain range in the south, as well as lowland forests, plains, and wetlands. This diverse terrain provides habitats for a variety of animal species, including snakes.

Azerbaijan is known to have 25 species of snakes, with some sources stating 23 or 29 species. These snakes include the venomous Transcaucasian viper, steppe viper, copperhead snake, and Asia Minor viper, which are among the most poisonous snakes in the country. The horned viper, also known as the long-nosed viper, is another venomous snake found in Azerbaijan, but it is limited to a very small area in the western part of the country.

The Shirvan National Park, located in the southeast of the country, is home to a variety of animal species, including snakes. The park is known for its red foxes, gazelles, jungle cats, badgers, jackals, eagles, and even wolves.

The country's diverse landscapes provide a range of habitats for snakes and other wildlife. The Talish Mountains grace the southeast border with Iran, while the rest of the country consists of lowland forests, plains, and wetlands. This varied terrain offers a rich ecosystem for a wide range of animal species to thrive.

In addition to snakes, Azerbaijan is also home to a variety of bird species, mammals, fish, and invertebrates. The country has established several national parks, state reserves, and game reserves to protect its diverse wildlife, ensuring the preservation of these species for future generations.

There are 29 species of snakes in Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan is home to a diverse range of snakes, with 29 species of snakes found in the country. Out of these 29 species, 8 are venomous, 5 are semi-venomous or rear-fanged, and the remaining 16 are non-venomous. This variety of snakes is spread across the country's diverse landscapes, from the extreme mountains of the Greater and Lesser Caucasus ranges to the lowland forests, plains, and wetlands.

One of the most common snakes in Azerbaijan is the Grass Snake, which can grow up to 150 cm (59 inches) long. They are identified by their olive-green, brown, or gray colouration with rows of black spots on their backs and black bars or spots on their sides. They are strong swimmers and are often found near water sources such as ponds, lakes, and marshes. However, they can also be found in drier habitats like gardens, open woodlands, and grasslands. Grass Snakes are non-venomous and rarely bite, instead relying on hissing and releasing a smelly musk from their anal glands to deter threats.

Another common species is the Macrovipera lebetinus, also known as the West-Asian Blunt-nosed Viper, Levantine Adder, Lebanese Viper, Mountain Viper, or Coffin Snake. These vipers can also reach lengths of up to 150 cm (59 inches) and are identified by their flat, broad, triangular heads with blunt snouts. Their colouring can vary from gray to beige or khaki, with brown or bluish blotches and stripes along their bodies. Levantine Vipers are nocturnal and often found in rocky hills, shrublands, and mountain valleys. They are ambush predators that lurk near water sources, and their bites can cause abdominal pain and blistering.

Azerbaijan is also home to the Javelin Sand Boa, a smaller snake that grows up to 80 cm (31.5 inches) long. These snakes are cream, beige, yellow, or bright orange with dark blotches and small spots. Despite their name, they are not typically found in sandy areas but rather in savanna-like habitats with loam soil or rocky slopes. Javelin Sand Boas are nocturnal and spend most of their lives underground, making them elusive and hard to spot.

The Tesselated Water Snake, also known as the Dice Snake, is a great swimmer and is often found in aquatic habitats. They typically grow to lengths of 100–130 cm (39–51 inches) and have a greyish-green, brownish, or almost black colouration with dark spots on their backs. The underside of their bellies is sometimes vividly coloured in yellow or orange with black spots, resembling dice.

The Steppe Ratsnake is another terrestrial snake species found in Azerbaijan, and it can adapt to a wide variety of habitats, including forests, plains, rocky areas, wetlands, and deserts. They are non-venomous and grow to lengths of 90–110 cm (35–43 inches), with colouring that can vary from black, brown, beige, or red, sometimes with stripes or blotches.

In addition to these common species, Azerbaijan is also home to less common and more dangerous snakes, such as the Halys Pit Viper, which is venomous and can cause severe symptoms like excruciating pain, severe swelling, bruising, and headaches. The country also has a few rare venomous snakes like the horned viper, which has only been spotted once in the Ganja region in 1845.

Eight of these species are venomous

Azerbaijan is home to 219 species of animals, including several venomous snakes. Eight of these species are venomous, and they pose a significant threat to humans. Here is a detailed description of these venomous snakes:

Macrovipera lebetinus

Also known as the West-Asian Blunt-nosed Viper, Levantine Adder, Lebanese Viper, Mountain Viper, or Coffin Snake, this snake is a nocturnal resident of rocky hills, shrublands, and mountain valleys. Adults can grow up to 150 cm (59 inches) long and have flat, broad, triangular heads with blunt snouts. They are ambush predators and are known to lurk near water sources. Their colouring can vary from grey to beige or khaki, with brown or bluish blotches and stripes along their bodies. Bite incidents are common due to their frequent presence in urban areas. Symptoms of their bite include abdominal pain and blistering around the bite area, and severe cases can lead to death from internal bleeding.

Tesselated Water Snake

Also called the Dice Snake, this species is often found in aquatic habitats and is a strong swimmer. They typically grow to a length of 100–130 cm (39–51 inches) and have a vivid yellow or orange belly with black spots, resembling dice. Their back colouration can vary from greyish green to brownish or almost black, with dark spots.

Halys Pit Viper

The Halys Pit Viper, also known as the Siberian Pit Viper, Pallas's Pit Viper, or Asiatic Moccasin, is a venomous snake found across Azerbaijan. They can grow up to 59 cm (23 inches) in length and are typically found on montane slopes, plains, or rocky high mountain plateaus. Their colouring can be grey, red, pale brown, or yellow, with large dark spots and crossbars. Their venom contains neurotoxins and necrotoxins, which can cause severe symptoms such as excruciating pain, severe swelling, bruising, blistering, headache, nausea, and vomiting.

Cat Snake

Cat Snakes are venomous and are found in warm, rocky areas such as stone steppes and rocky slopes. They are also seen in open deciduous forests, backyards, and orchards. They are mostly nocturnal and hunt for lizards and geckos while their prey is asleep. They are typically calm and rarely bite or hiss, even when handled. Their body is beige or grey, with large dark bars or blotches on their back and smaller ones on their sides. They have a distinctive dark collar that often extends to the middle of their head.

Transcaucasian viper

The Transcaucasian viper is one of the most poisonous snakes found in Azerbaijan. It is known for its shiny and colourful appearance.

Steppe Viper

The Steppe Viper is another highly venomous species found in Azerbaijan and is known for its dangerous effects on humans.

Copperhead Snake

The Copperhead Snake is listed in the Red Book of rare Azerbaijani animals and insects. It is considered one of the most venomous and dangerous snakes in the country.

Asia Minor Viper

The Asia Minor Viper is also listed in the Red Book and is among the most poisonous snakes in Azerbaijan.

The country's snakes become more active in spring

Azerbaijan is home to 29 species of snakes, eight of which are venomous. In spring, the country's snakes become more active as they emerge from hibernation and mating season begins.

The rule of thumb in North America is that snakes are most active from April to October and hibernate during the colder months. In Azerbaijan, snakes hibernate in winter, and in late February to early March, their mating season begins. During this time, snakes become more agitated and dangerous.

The increase in snake activity during spring is driven by the warmer temperatures and the mating season. Snakes are poikilothermic ectotherms, meaning their body temperature changes with the outside temperature, and they rely on external sources to regulate their body heat. As the weather warms up in spring, snakes become more active as they seek out warm, sunny spots to increase their body heat.

Most snake activity occurs during midday when temperatures are closest to ideal. If the sun is not strong enough, snakes will seek out other sources of warmth, such as dark areas like garages or the hood of a car.

In addition to the warmer temperatures, the availability of prey also increases in spring, providing an abundance of food sources for snakes. The combination of favourable temperatures and abundant prey makes spring an ideal time for snakes to be active and seek out mates.

It is important to note that while snake sightings are more common in spring, they can still be found active during other seasons, especially in warmer climates. Taking precautions and being cautious when outdoors is always recommended, especially when venturing into snake habitats.

The Caucasian pit viper is one of the most dangerous snakes in Europe

Azerbaijan is home to 29 species of snakes, eight of which are venomous. One of these venomous snakes is the Caucasian pit viper, a subspecies of the Central Asian pit viper. It is found in the southeastern part of the country.

The Caucasian pit viper is a member of the Crotalinae subfamily, commonly known as pit vipers or pit adders. These snakes are venomous and are distinguished by a heat-sensing pit organ located between the eye and the nostril on both sides of the head. This structure allows the snake to detect infrared radiation and "see" heat images of warm-blooded prey. The paired pit organs provide a stereo effect that helps the snake determine the distance and direction of its prey.

Pit vipers are found in Asia and the Americas, with some species native to Europe. They inhabit a range of habitats, from deserts to rainforests, and can be either terrestrial or arboreal. Most pit vipers are nocturnal, avoiding the high daytime temperatures and hunting when their preferred prey is active. They are ambush predators, typically waiting patiently for unsuspecting prey to wander by.

In addition to the Caucasian pit viper, other dangerous snakes in Azerbaijan include the horned viper and the brown bear. The horned viper, also known as the long-nosed viper, is one of the more dangerous snakes in Europe and can cause pain, swelling, and discolouration. The brown bear is not as aggressive as its reputation suggests, with attacks occurring in less than one percent of on-foot encounters.

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