In the forests and at summer cottages, the "snake season" has begun: how not to provoke a viper.

      With the arrival of stable warmth in the forests, by the water bodies, and even in private plots, snakes become active. As specialists note, at the end of spring and the beginning of summer, reptiles enter their mating period. During this time, they do not seek conflict with humans, but due to their high mobility and search for partners, the likelihood of an accidental encounter sharply increases.

      Most often, snakes can be found in damp, well-sunlit places: by rivers, lakes, swamps, in forest clearings, and paths. They are attracted to garden plots by the presence of rodents—their main food source. As soon as mice and rats disappear, the scaly uninvited guests leave as well.

      The main rule that herpetologists remind us of is that a snake never attacks a large creature first. If it notices a person from a distance, it will prefer to crawl away. Aggression is exclusively a defensive reaction when the reptile is stepped on or attempted to be grabbed.

      Caution: even a "harmless" grass snake may bite when defending itself.

      The most serious danger for residents of the central region is posed by the common viper, reports the press service of the insurance company "Soglasie." In the south and Crimea, one should beware of the horned viper and Crimean species of vipers, while in the Volga region and the Far East, the shield-nosed snake is a concern. However, doctors warn: even after being bitten by a non-venomous grass snake, it is necessary to go to the trauma center. The saliva of any reptile contains numerous bacteria that can cause severe soft tissue inflammation. A specialist will wash the wound and prescribe antibiotics if necessary.

      What to do if a bite has already occurred?

      First, drink as much as possible. Second, take an antihistamine. The wound, if it is bleeding, can be disinfected, but it should not be rinsed deeply. A categorical prohibition: do not apply a tourniquet. This will cause tissue necrosis and will not stop the spread of venom. The best solution is to get to the hospital as quickly as possible. In May of this year, in Udmurtia, doctors administered serum to a victim of a viper attack in small doses to avoid an allergic reaction—the treatment proceeded without complications.

      Experts urge not to kill snakes upon encounter: they are an integral part of the ecosystem, destroying rodents. To secure your plot, it is enough to tidy up: mow tall grass, remove trash, and discarded boards. This is particularly emphasized by the administration of the Novovyatsky district of Kirov. And if you do find a snake near your home, call the rescuers at 112.

      Earlier, we reported that at the beginning of May 2026, the administration of the Novovyatsky district of Kirov warned plot owners about the need to mow grass and clean up trash to avoid creating a habitat for snakes. The official clarification also emphasized that snakes are beneficial and do not attack first, and that one should call 112 upon their discovery.

      And at the end of May 2025, in the Verkhnekamsky district, a 36-year-old woman was bitten by a viper right in her garden. The victim did not notice the snake between the beds. The bite caused her leg to swell significantly, and her hemoglobin level dropped. The woman was first hospitalized in a district hospital and then airlifted to the Trauma Center in Kirov, where doctors were able to stabilize her condition. At that time, it was already the third case of viper bites in the region for the season. In the Omutninsky district, a new home is being sought for Elvin. In Kirov, helpers are being sought to transport homeless cats to Spasskaya. Cats go missing more often than dogs, but dogs return: the results of 2025 in Russia.