Snake Sightings In Belarus: What You Need To Know

Belarus is home to a variety of snakes, including the common European adder, grass snake, smooth snake, and tessellated water snake. The country has many snakes on record, with only one being venomous: the viper. Vipers are easy to identify due to their triangular, dark heads and are found throughout the country. The common European adder, also known as the common viper, is the only venomous snake native to Britain and can be found across Europe and as far as East Asia. This snake is not considered to be dangerous and is not aggressive unless provoked. It feeds on small mammals, birds, lizards, and amphibians and is an ovoviviparous reptile, giving birth to litters of up to 20 young.

Viper, the only venomous snake in Belarus

The viper, or Vipera berus, is the only venomous snake in Belarus. It is also known as the common European adder or common European viper. Widespread across most of Europe, the viper is a small reptile, with adults reaching a length of 60 to 75 centimetres. It is easily identifiable by its trapezoidal head, which has an X or V-shaped pattern, and its short, dark-coloured tail. The viper's colouring can vary, from silver-grey to reddish-brown, and it may have a dark pattern across its body.

The viper is ovoviviparous, giving birth to live young rather than laying eggs. Females typically give birth to litters of 3 to 20 young once every two to three years. The young feed on small mammals, birds, lizards, and amphibians, and sometimes on spiders, worms, and insects. The viper is not considered highly dangerous, as its bite is rarely fatal, although it can be very painful. Symptoms of a bite include pain, swelling, nausea, and shock, and medical attention should be sought if bitten.

Vipers are common across Belarus but are especially found in areas with plenty of food, hiding places, and minimal chance of encountering predators. They are most active during the spring mating period and are attracted to sunny places, especially during the mushroom-picking season. They are also the most cold-resistant snakes in the world and can be found in habitats above the Arctic Circle.

Adder, a non-aggressive species

The adder, or common European adder (Vipera berus), is a non-aggressive species of venomous snake in the Viperidae family. It is the only venomous snake native to much of Northern Europe, including Belarus.

Adders are generally shy and reclusive, preferring to avoid human contact. They are not considered especially dangerous and will only bite when provoked, stepped on, or picked up. Bites can be very painful but are seldom fatal.

The adder is a relatively small and stocky snake, growing to a length of 60-90 cm (including the tail) and weighing 50-180 g. It is identifiable by its greyish colour, dark and distinct zig-zag pattern down its back, and red eyes. The zig-zag pattern can vary in colour from dark brown to black. Males tend to be more silvery-grey, while females are more light or reddish-brown.

Adders are found in a variety of habitats, including woodlands, heathlands, and moorlands, where they hunt small mammals, birds, lizards, and amphibians. They are also known to climb into shrubbery and bushes to search for prey.

In Belarus, adders have been observed in the Rossonsiy rayon district of the Vitebsk region. They are one of seven classifications of reptiles native to the country.

Grass snake

When threatened, grass snakes may hiss and spray a foul-smelling substance from their anal glands. If this doesn't deter the threat, they may play dead by flipping over and letting their tongue hang out. Interestingly, they can also mimic cobras by raising the front of their bodies and flattening their heads to form a hood.

Smooth snake

The smooth snake, or Coronella austriaca, is one of the snakes found in Belarus. It is small and slender, growing to between 60 and 75 cm (23.5–29.5 inches) long. Its scales are smooth and flat, and its colour is usually dark brown or grey, with two rows of indistinct dark spots running down its back. It has a dark marking on the top of its head, often shaped like a crown.

Tessellated water snake

The Tessellated water snake (Natrix tessellata), also known as the dice snake, is a nonvenomous snake species in the Colubridae family, native to central and eastern Eurasia. It has an average length of 1.0–1.3 m (39–51 in) and can be found near rivers, streams, and lakes. Its body colour can vary from greyish-green to brown or almost black, with dark spots on its back. The belly can be yellow or orange with black spots, resembling dice, which is how the snake gets its name.

The Tessellated water snake is a frequent feeder on fish and sometimes amphibians such as frogs, toads, and tadpoles. It is considered nonvenomous but does produce a potent antihemorrhagin in its serum. It also has a very strong-smelling secretion from its cloaca, which it uses as a defence mechanism, along with thanatosis (playing dead).

During the mating season, from March to May, these snakes congregate in large groups, and egg-laying usually takes place in July, with one clutch consisting of 10-30 eggs. The young snakes hatch in early September, and the adults hibernate from October to April in dry holes near the water.

The species is considered to be of Least Concern in its overall range; however, local populations may be more sensitive. For example, in the Czech Republic, it is considered Critically Endangered due to habitat destruction and the introduction of invasive American mink.

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