With the onset of heat in Ukraine, reptiles traditionally become more active - in particular, poisonous snakes. The Ministry of Health calls on citizens to be vigilant when walking in nature, as three species of poisonous vipers can be found in different regions of the country.
The most common is the common viper, which can be seen in Polesie, the Carpathians, and in places in the forest-steppe zone. It has a recognizable zigzag stripe on its back.
The rarest is the steppe viper. This species is listed in the Red Book of Ukraine. It can be found mainly in the steppes, particularly in the south of the country, often within nature reserves.
The third species, Nikolsky's viper, is an almost entirely black snake that is also protected. It lives mainly in northeastern Ukraine, in the forest-steppe zone.
The Ministry of Health emphasizes that these snakes are mostly not aggressive and avoid contact with people. They can attack only if they feel threatened. A viper bite rarely poses a threat to the life of a healthy person, but it can be extremely dangerous for children, people with chronic diseases or allergies.
Doctors emphasize: in the event of a snake bite, you should immediately seek medical attention, do not try to extract the venom yourself or make incisions.
The Ministry of Health urges citizens to be careful, especially when staying in forests, steppes, and the southern territories of Ukraine, where the likelihood of encountering a poisonous reptile increases.
