Croatian Snakes

Snakes are reptiles. They are cold-blooded animals known for their specific movement - crawling and molting of skin. People do not usually hold snakes as pets. Only individuals share their home with these specific reptiles. They generally cause fear and discomfort in people. They are not animals that can domesticate or develop an association with the owner, but they do not deserve the many negative attributes given to them. The snake never attacks first. It only attacks in self-defence and when hunting prey. So if you do not disturb the snake in nature - it won't do you any harm. They mostly hide away from humans, and it is best to walk with a stick and hit the ground because any snake will escape if it senses vibrations. There are 15 species of snakes in Croatia. All snakes in Croatia are protected by law. The penalties for killing them are quite high. There are only three venomous snakes in Croatia– common European adder, horned viper and meadow adder. The other 12 species are not venomous, although some consider the European cat snake and the Montpellier snake semi-venomous, but their venom cannot endanger humans. The bite of Croatian vipers is generally not fatal. It is life-threatening only for young children and the elderly. If a bitten person gets antidote in time, everything should be fine. All three species belong to the vipers and can be identified by a zigzag pattern on the back, a triangle-shaped head, a short stocky body and rhomboid pupils. If you encounter a snake in nature, it is important to stay calm, move away from the snake for a minimum of two meters so that it can move away, and not to make any sudden movements that may seem like an attack to it. If the snake bites you, you need to bind the bite, calm the body and heart rate so that the venom does not spread. Call an ambulance as soon as possible, but do not suck the venom out of the bitten person, because you could be poisoned as well.

 

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