Deadly Austrian Reptiles: Poisonous Snakes In Austria

Austria is home to several species of snakes, some of which are venomous. The common viper, for example, is found throughout the country, except in certain regions like Vienna Woods and the Lower Austrian Alpine foothills. This snake's venom is up to three times as poisonous as the diamondback rattlesnake, but it only injects a small amount with each bite, making it dangerous only to children and the elderly. The horned viper and Orsini's viper are two other venomous snakes found in specific regions of Austria. Additionally, non-venomous varieties such as the Aesculapian snake, smooth snake, grass snake, and dice snake are also present in the country. Interestingly, the meadow viper, once native to Austria, is now considered extinct in the country, and efforts are being made for its possible reintroduction.

Austria's venomous snakes

Austria is home to several venomous snakes, including the common viper, the horned viper, and Orsini's viper. The common viper, found throughout Austria, is particularly dangerous as its venom is up to three times as poisonous as that of a diamondback rattlesnake. However, it only releases a small amount of venom with each bite, making it a threat primarily to children and the elderly. The horned viper is found in Carinthia and southern Styria, while Orsini's viper was previously found in Lower Austria, Lake Neusiedl, and southern Styria, but there is currently no evidence of its occurrence.

In addition to these native species, venomous exotic snakes have also been spotted in Austria. In one incident, a seven-year-old boy was bitten by a common European viper in a meadow in Albeck, Carinthia, and had to be rushed to the hospital. In another incident, Austrian firefighters responding to a blaze in a barn east of Vienna encountered a collection of venomous snakes, including an Indian cobra and two Australian taipans, for which there was no antidote available in the country.

While Austria has its fair share of venomous snakes, there are also several non-venomous species found in the country, such as the Aesculapian snake, the smooth snake, and the grass snake.

Non-venomous snakes in Austria

Austria is home to several species of snakes, including both venomous and non-venomous varieties. While the presence of venomous snakes can be a cause for concern, it is important to know that Austria also has several non-venomous snakes that pose no danger to humans. Here is some information about the non-venomous snakes that can be found in Austria:

Aesculapian Snake (Zamenis longissimus)

The Aesculapian snake is the largest domestic snake found in Austria, with a maximum length of more than two meters. It is characterised by its narrow, slightly elongated, and oval head, and pointed tail. It has nine large signs on its head and a round pupil. The top of its body is usually light or dark brown, occasionally olive, and slightly lighter in the anterior third. The underside is typically spotted with a yellowish-white tone, but can also be dark in rare cases. The Aesculapian snake is found in Vienna, Lower Austria, Upper Austria, Salzburg, Styria, Carinthia, and Burgenland.

Smooth Snake (Coronella austriaca)

The smooth snake has a slender body covered with smooth scales and usually varies in colour between brown or grey tones. It can grow up to a size of 70 cm, and in exceptional cases, up to 80 cm. Its head, slightly removed from its neck, forms a U-shape on its upper side, with a dark strip running from its nasal hole to the neck region. This snake is found in all parts of Austria.

Grass Snake (Natrix natrix natrix)

The nontoxic grass snake has round pupils, nine large head-shields, and strong-stemmed dorsal scales. In Central Europe, it reaches a maximum length of 1.5 meters and is coloured with greenish-ash-brown tones. It has two bright, dark, half-moon-shaped spots on the sides of its neck, and its abdominal staining is usually dirty white with dark spots. The grass snake can be found in all parts of Austria, including the barred grass snake subspecies, which is found in Tirol and Vorarlberg.

Dice Snake (Natrix tessellata)

The dice snake is adapted for water life, with upward-directed eyes and nose openings. It typically measures 60 to 90 cm in length, rarely exceeding one meter, and has a slender, narrow-headed body. Its colour can vary from light or dark olive-brown to grey, with clearly pronounced dark drawings of square spots, usually in four longitudinal series. The neck is marked with a V-shaped spot, and the abdominal side is generally bright with dark spots, although it can also be longitudinally striped or completely black on rare occasions. The dice snake is found in the Danube valley, around Baden and Graz, and at Carinthian lakes.

Snake bites in Austria

Austria is home to several species of snakes, some of which are venomous. While snake bites are rare in the country, they do occasionally occur, and it is important to be aware of the potential risks and dangers associated with these reptiles.

Types of Snakes in Austria

Austria is known to have both venomous and non-venomous snakes. The non-venomous varieties include the Aesculapian snake, found in Vienna, Lower Austria, Upper Austria, Salzburg, Styria, Carinthia, and Burgenland; the smooth snake and grass snake, which can be found throughout the country; and the barred grass snake, which is native to Tirol and Vorarlberg.

On the other hand, venomous snakes in Austria include the common viper, which is found in most parts of the country; the horned viper, native to Carinthia and southern Styria; and Orsini's viper, which was previously spotted in Lower Austria, at Lake Neusiedl, and in southern Styria.

Snake Bite Incidents

First Aid and Treatment

If you are unfortunate enough to be bitten by a snake in Austria, it is important to remain calm and seek medical attention immediately. Remove any jewellery or tight clothing near the bite site, as swelling may occur. Try to remember the colour and shape of the snake to help with identification and treatment. Do not try to capture or kill the snake, as this can increase the risk of being bitten again.

Prevention

To minimise the risk of snake bites, it is advisable to be vigilant and aware of your surroundings when spending time outdoors, especially in areas known to have a population of snakes. Avoid walking through tall grass or dense vegetation, and be cautious when stepping over logs or rocks. Additionally, do not handle or disturb snakes, as they will usually only bite when they feel threatened or disturbed.

Conservation Efforts

Despite the fear and negative perceptions surrounding snakes, there are ongoing efforts to conserve and restore their populations in Austria. The Hungarian meadow viper, once native to the country, is now extinct, and conservation projects aim to reintroduce this species to suitable habitats. While this endeavour may trigger a public response due to the viper's venomous nature, it is important to assess both the availability of suitable habitats and public attitudes towards snakes and their restoration.

Public perception of snakes in Austria

The public perception of snakes in Austria is largely negative, with many Austrians fearing snakes and associating them with negative attributes like "eerie and unpredictable" or "disgusting and slippery". This perception is influenced by religious imagery, myths, and contemporary horror movies that often depict snakes as dangerous and slimy creatures. However, despite these negative attitudes, the majority of Austrians are in favour of re-establishing the now-extinct Hungarian meadow viper, a non-aggressive snake with weak poison.

A study by Petra Kaczensky and Veronika Kovacs found that almost half of their respondents (42%) did not like snakes or were unsure, with women expressing more negative sentiments than men. The most common reasons for disliking snakes included fear, the perception of snakes as eerie and unpredictable, and the belief that snakes are disgusting and slippery. On the other hand, those who liked snakes cited their elegance, beauty, and fascinating nature.

Interestingly, the same study revealed that the majority of respondents (80%) supported the re-establishment of the Hungarian meadow viper, indicating that liking or disliking snakes did not strongly predict support for snake restoration. This suggests that other factors, such as moral or ethical considerations, may play a more significant role in shaping public opinion on snake-related issues.

Another study by Rebecca Zika, which included short interviews with 512 people in Vienna and the Vienna Zoo, yielded similar results. The majority of respondents (412 out of 512) were in favour of re-establishing a formally native but now-extinct snake species. The main reason for this support was the importance respondents placed on species protection and the belief that a native species belongs in Austria.

However, it's worth noting that the level of knowledge about snakes among Austrians seems rather low. In the Kaczensky and Kovacs study, only about 27.5% of respondents could list at least one native snake species in Austria, and even those individuals struggled to accurately assess whether the species were poisonous. This highlights the need for better environmental education and awareness campaigns to improve public understanding of snakes and their role in the ecosystem.

In conclusion, while Austrians generally hold negative perceptions of snakes, there is a surprising level of support for snake conservation and re-introduction efforts, especially among those with higher education levels and those who engage in outdoor activities.

Snake conservation in Austria

Austria's diverse landscapes, including Alpine meadows, forests, grasslands, wetlands, and rocky areas, provide a range of habitats for different snake species. The country is home to a significant population of snakes, with several species native to its varied environments. Snake conservation in Austria is essential to protect these species and maintain the ecological balance that snakes help preserve.

Native Snake Species in Austria

Austria is home to several native snake species, each adapted to thrive in specific habitats across the country. These native species include:

• Smooth snake (Coronella austriaca): A non-venomous snake with a slender body and distinctive smooth scales. It prefers dry grasslands and heathlands, where it hunts small reptiles and rodents.
• European adder (Vipera berus): The European adder is venomous and is recognized by its zigzag pattern on the back and V-shaped markings on its head. It can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, meadows, and alpine regions.
• Grass snake (Natrix natrix): The grass snake is non-venomous and is commonly found near water bodies as it is an excellent swimmer. It is identified by its greenish color and yellow collar around the neck.
• Aesculapian snake (Zamenis longissimus): The Aesculapian snake is a large, non-venomous species found in Austria. It is characterized by its brownish color and arboreal habits. It is often found on the edges of paths along the southern slope forests in the Donau-Auen National Park.
• Dice snake (Natrix tessellata): The dice snake is another non-venomous species, recognized by the dark spots on its back.
• Barred grass snake (Natrix helvetica): The barred grass snake is closely related to the grass snake but has a more barred pattern on its body.
• Nose-horned viper (Vipera ammodytes): The nose-horned viper is a venomous and rare protected species in Austria due to its declining population. It has a triangular-shaped head and a distinctive "horn" on its nose.

Conservation Efforts

Snake conservation efforts in Austria are crucial to safeguarding these species and their habitats. The nose-horned viper, dice snake, and barred grass snake are all classified as rare and protected due to their declining populations. Conservation programs and initiatives focus on raising awareness about the importance of snakes in the ecosystem, conducting research, and implementing protective measures.

Austria has laws in place that prohibit the hunting, killing, capturing, and trading of snakes, ensuring their conservation and preservation. The IUCN Red List also documents the Aesculapian snake as vulnerable, highlighting the need for continued conservation efforts.

The Role of Snakes in the Ecosystem

Snakes play a vital role in controlling pests and maintaining ecological balance in Austrian ecosystems. They are natural predators of rodents, such as mice and rats, helping to reduce their populations and minimize crop damage and the spread of diseases. Snakes also contribute to pest control by consuming various insects and amphibians. Additionally, they serve as prey for larger predators, such as birds of prey and foxes, further contributing to the biodiversity and functioning of the ecosystem.

Frequently asked questions