What kind of snakes are found in the Zhiguli mountains. Samara bow snakes

Going out into nature. Do you want to have a fun and carefree holiday? Go ahead, but don't forget that you are a guest there. And, for example, in the forest, hosts who are not at all hospitable may be waiting for you. First of all, remember that you don’t go to someone else’s monastery with your own rules. About who to fear and how to behave in the open spaces Samara region, said zoologist Alexander Kuzovenko.

Don't let your guard down
First of all, all five species of ixodid ticks living in the region pose a danger to outdoor recreationists. They are carriers of diseases such as tick-borne encephalitis and borreliosis, or Lyme disease.

When in an area “rich” in ticks, you need to carefully monitor your appearance - clothes and the bottom of your pants must be tucked in, and you must wear a hat on your head.

- In such places, no anti-tick remedies will help. This is advice from someone who constantly visits tick-infested places,” the zoologist noted.

Another disease that awaits tourists and vacationers is mouse fever. Various rodents are carriers of this disease.

Symptoms of the onset of mouse fever are an increase in body temperature up to 40 degrees, chills, nausea, decreased blood pressure, rare pulse, without catarrhal signs, change in urination. To avoid illness, you need to wash your hands as often as possible.

— Take special hand disinfectants (antibacterial wipes, special hand gels) with you when going outdoors. Under no circumstances should you eat anything from the ground, and if you happen to eat in a place that is not suitable for this, then it is better to take dishes for this, or, if you don’t have one at hand, the same napkin, says Alexander Kuzovenko.

Various representatives of the fauna that are found in our region also pose a certain danger to humans.

If we talk about spiders, poisonous members of the family can be found in our region, but most of them are not able to bite through human skin, and their venom is not fatal. Mostly poisonous representatives of arachnids live near bodies of water, these are, for example, hunting spiders - dolomedes marginalis and dolomedes vegeta.

But the well-known tarantula is found everywhere. In addition, once in our region it was possible to meet karakurt, but now they are not there.

A more dangerous representative of the animal world that you can encounter while relaxing in nature is the viper. There are three species of them in the Samara region - common, steppe and Nikolsky's viper.

Common viper Steppe viper

Nikolsky's viper, or forest-steppe viper

It should be noted that vipers can also be found on the territory of Samara, for example, in Dubki or on Krasnaya Glinka. There are also snakes in the city and region that are not poisonous. However, in case of danger, they can present an unpleasant surprise - they release a foul-smelling liquid, which will then be difficult to wash off.

- It smells like rotten canned fish“What it essentially is is digested fish or frogs that have been eaten by snakes,” explains the zoologist.

Vipers can be easily distinguished from the common snake by their so-called “ears” of yellow or orange color. But the water one does not have such spots on its head, and to a non-specialist, it looks very much like a viper. It can even hiss as loudly as a poisonous viper.

Another significant difference between these two snakes is their length - snakes reach more than a meter in length, while vipers grow no more than 70 cm.

When going out into nature, one should not forget about the surrounding vegetation, which theoretically can pose a danger to humans. Please note that there are quite a lot of poisonous plants in our region. These are, for example, lily of the valley, the berries of which can be fatal if eaten, and adonis, the so-called “snowdrops” - a dream grass that got its name for a reason. And of course, it’s worth remembering about the well-known vekh, henbane and datura, which also grow in our region.

We take precautions
To avoid force majeure situations when relaxing outdoors, Alexander Kuzovenko strongly recommends adhering to simple rules. For example, if you encounter a snake, you need to avoid it.

“You shouldn’t take it, catch it, even if it seemed like it was, for example, already.” The vipers and I are in different weight categories. The viper feeds on insects, mouse-like rodents, and from the side of the viper we look like multi-storey building. Of course, she will not perceive us as prey, but if we show aggression towards her - we touch her with a stick or kick her with a shoe, then she will simply instinctively defend herself, and then you may be bitten by her. That is, you just need to bypass it, that’s all,” he says.

If a snake does bite you, you should immediately contact a specialist. This also applies in the case of a tick bite - you need to contact the same sanitary and epidemiological station, which will check what type of tick it is and find out whether it is a carrier of the disease.

— In case of a viper bite, as far as I know, you need to go to the Seredavin hospital, where they provide necessary help when bitten by poisonous snakes. Deadly bites vipers in Lately. As far as I know, there wasn’t,” the zoologist notes.

If, nevertheless, a viper bites you, you must immediately take an antihistamine, and then lie down (so that the poison spreads more slowly throughout the body), drink more liquid so that the poison is removed from the body faster (but not a tonic), and then dial an ambulance "or find a way to get to a hospital where they can provide qualified assistance. There is a common belief that you can simply suck out the poison from the wound, but this method is suitable in two cases. The first is if you do it immediately after the bite. Second - if in oral cavity there are no caries, ulcers or wounds that can form even from brushing your teeth. In this case, the poison can enter the brain, and here the consequences can be much worse.

When going outdoors, you need to pay attention to concomitant diseases. For example, if a person is allergic, then it may be dangerous for him to encounter any stinging hymenoptera.

- Let's say a bee stung. It would seem that such a harmless small creature, but many people are severely allergic to bees. No matter who gets stung by a bee, there will be at least some redness or swelling at the site of the sting. If a bee stings an allergic person, the swelling can spread to the entire body. That is, a bee sting can also lead to death if action is not taken in time. Hornet stings are also very painful. Therefore, if you go outdoors, you should definitely take an antihistamine with you. And in general, when going into nature, you need to take essential medical supplies with you, especially for a city resident. They can save lives,” says Alexander Kuzovenko.

— In human nature, dangers lurk at every step. In general, you need to come to nature as a guest who, let’s say, knows the laws of the owner. You need to know the most simple types potentially dangerous plants and animals, and teach children not to touch what you don’t know and not to harm nature. When outside the city, you need to constantly look around. All dangers await a person mainly from ignorance, from the fact that he is very careless about the place where he is, emphasizes Alexander Kuzovenko.

 Samara Luka: problems of regional and global ecology.

2018. - T. 27, No. 2. - P. 253-256.

UDC 598.115.33(470.43) DOI: 10.24411/2073-1035-2018-10033

MATERIALS FOR THE SECOND EDITION OF THE RED BOOK OF THE SAMARA REGION: VIPER SNAKES

© 2018 T.N. Atyasheva, A.G. Bakiev, R.A. Gorelov, A.L. Malenev

Institute of Ecology of the Volga Basin RAS, Togliatti (Russia)

Received 02/15/2018

Information is provided on the distribution, abundance, biological features, limiting factors and protection of eastern steppe and common vipers in the Samara region.

Keywords: viper snakes, Viperidae, eastern steppe viper, Vipera re-nardi, Bashkirov's viper, Vipera renardi bashkirovi, common viper, Vipera berus, Nikolsky's viper, Vipera berus nikolskii, Samara region, Red Book, protection.

Atyasheva T.N., Bakiev A.G., Gorelov R.A., Malenyov A.L. Materials for the second edition of the Red book of the Samara region: vipers. - Data on the distribution, abundance, biology, limiting factors and conservation of eastern steppe vipers and common adders in the Samara region are provided.

Keywords: vipers, Viperidae, eastern steppe viper, Vipera renardi, Bashkirov's steppe viper, Vipera renardi bashkirovi, common adder, Nikolsky's viper, Vipera berus nikolskii, Samara region, Red book, conservation.

1 eastern steppe viper,

OR RENARD'S VIPER Vipera renardi (Christoph, 1861)

Conservation status: 3 - rare species. In the Samara region on the northern border of the range. Included under the trinomen Vipera ursini renardi in Appendix 2 (List of fauna objects in need of special attention) to the Red Book Russian Federation(2001). Included in the Red Books of the Republic of Tatarstan with the status “I category. A species that is reducing its numbers, represented by the only one in the Republic of Tatarstan and the most

1 Tatyana Nikolaevna Atyasheva, research engineer, [email protected]; Bakiev Andrey Gennadievich, senior researcher, candidate biological sciences, assistant professor, [email protected]; Gorelov Roman Andreevich, research engineer, [email protected]; Malenev Andrey Lvovich, candidate of biological sciences, head of the laboratory, [email protected]

northern population in the area" (p. 123), Saratov region (2006) with category and status "3 - small species with a relatively stable area and slowly increasing numbers" (p. 371), Ulyanovsk region(2015) with the category and status “3b - a taxon that has a significant range, within which it is found sporadically and with a small population size” (p. 432). Category in the first edition of the Red Book of the Samara Region (2009): 4/B - a rare species, gradually decreasing in number.

Spreading. Forest-steppe, steppe, semi-desert and desert zones in Southeast Europe, Central and Central Asia. In the scope of the species established by W. Joger and O. Dely (Joger, Dely, 2005), V. re-t^ extends in the west to Romania, in the east - to Altai and Dzungaria, in the north - to Tatarstan, in the south - to Northern Iran. In the Samara region it is found in Bezenchuksky, Bolsheglunitsky,

Bolshechernigovsky, Isaklinsky,

Kinelsky, Krasnoarmeysky,

Pokhvistnevsky, Sergievsky,

Stavropol, Syzran, Khvorostyansky

and Shigonsky districts (Bakiev et al., 2009, 2016; Gorelov, 2017; authors’ data; Fig. 1). It adheres to steppe areas and sparse forests. The occurrence of adult individuals in spring and autumn does not exceed 3-4 individuals/ha, and in summer months- 2 species/ha. In the Krasnosamara forestry (Kinelsky district) over the past 20 years, the number has decreased by at least 4 times.

Features of biology. The length of the body without a tail (L. corp.) reaches 630 mm (Magdeev, Degtyarev, 2002). In the Samara region, Renard's viper is represented by two subspecies - the nominative V. r. renardi and Bashkirov's viper V. r. bashkirovi. Bashkirov's viper differs from the nominative subspecies in its larger size, frequent manifestation of melanism, and features of pholidosis; does not adhere to steppe areas, like the nominative subspecies, but to sparse forests (Kinelsky, Sergievsky, Stavropol, Shigonsky districts). Vipers of both subspecies are active from April to September. They feed on mouse-like rodents, as well as lizards and orthopteran insects. Females give birth once a season, from

the end of July to the beginning of September, 4-19 cubs each (Bakiev et al., 2004, 2015, 2016; Gorelov, 2017).

Limiting factors. Overgrazing of livestock, plowing of indigenous biotopes. Burning of dry herbaceous vegetation in habitats. High recreational load at the station. Direct extermination.

Accepted and necessary measures security Real measures there are no security guards. Restrictions required economic activity, causing destruction of habitats, limiting recreational load on habitats, explaining to the population the need to protect the species, penalties for destruction, catching and sale.

Information sources. 1. Red Book..., 2001. 2. Red Book..., 2016. 3. Red Book., 2006. 4. Red Book.,

2015. 5. Red Book., 2009. 6. Joger, Dely, 2005. 7. Bakiev et al., 2009. 8. Bakiev et al.,

Rice. 1. Locations of finds of the eastern steppe viper in the Samara region

VIPER

Vipera berus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Viper snake family - Viperidae

Conservation status: 3 - rare species. In the Samara region on the southern border

range, is represented by populations that combine the characteristics of two subspecies - the nominative Vipera berus berus and the forest-steppe (Nikolsky's viper) V. b. nikolskii (Bakiev u.a., 2005; Bakiev et al., 2009, 2015; Gorelov, 2017). The latest form is many

herpetologists continue to recognize it as an independent species. Nikolsky's Viper as independent type V. nikolskii is included in the Red Book of the Russian Federation (2001) with the category and status “4 - indeterminate status, poorly studied species” (p. 348). The species V. nikolskii is listed in the Red Book of the Saratov Region with the category and status “3 - a small species with a relatively stable habitat and stable abundance” (p. 370), the species Vipera berus is included in the Red Book of the Republic of Tatarstan with the status “II category. A species widespread in limited areas, reducing its numbers under anthropogenic influence” (p. 122) and Appendix 3 [List (list) of objects of flora, fauna and fungi of the Ulyanovsk region that need special attention] to the Red Book of the Ulyanovsk region (2015). Category in the first edition of the Red Book of the Samara Region (2009): 5/B - a conditionally rare species, gradually decreasing in number.

Spreading. Taiga, forest and forest-steppe zones of Eurasia. In the Samara region it is found in the Borsky, Volzhsky, Krasnoyarsk, Sergievsky, Stavropol, Chelno-Vershinsky and Shigonsky districts, Samara (Bakiev et al., 2009, 2016; Gorelov, 2017; Fig. 2). According to some authors (Gorelov et al., 1992), the total number of common vipers in the Samara region. by the beginning of the 1990s. could be around 80-

100 thousand copies. We believe this estimate is several times too high. The number continues to decline. In some places in Samara, the species is disappearing due to the destruction of wintering sites.

Features of biology. The length of the body without a tail (L. corp.) reaches 765 mm (Barinov, 1982). The body color of adults is usually black, while juveniles are grayish-brown with a dark zigzag pattern on the back. Characteristic places habitats - forest clearings, edges and clearings, as well as floodplain meadows bordering the forest. Seasonal activity deadlines are March and October. It feeds mainly on small mammals, rarely on birds, reptiles, and amphibians. The female gives birth to from 6 to 19 cubs in mid-July - early September (Bakiev et al., 2009; Gorelov, 2017).

Limiting factors. Anthropogenic transformation of habitats. Destruction of wintering sites. High recreational load on habitats. Catching. Direct extermination.

Security measures taken and required. Protected in the Zhigulevsky Nature Reserve, the Samarskaya Luka NP and the Buzuluksky Bor NP. It is necessary to protect wintering sites from destruction, limit recreational pressure on habitats, explain to the population the need to protect the species, and penalties for destruction, catching and sale.

Rice. 2. Locations of finds of the common viper in the Samara region

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bakiev A.G., Garanin V.I., Gelashvili

D.B. and others. Vipers (Reptilia: Serpentes: Viperidae: Vipera) of the Volga basin. Part 1. Tolyatti: Kassandra, 2015. 234 p.

Bakiev A.G., Garanin V.I., Litvinov N.A., Pavlov A.V., Ratnikov V.Yu. Snakes of the Volga-Kama region. Samara: Publishing House of SamSC RAS, 2004. 192 p.

Bakiev A.G., Gorelov R.A., Klenina A.A., Ryzhov M.K., Solomaikin E.I. Snakes from the Red Book of the Samara Region: new places of discovery // Samara Luka: problems of regional and global ecology. 2016. T. 25, No. 1. P. 129-130.

Bakiev A.G., Malenev A.L., Zaitseva O.V., Shurshina I.V. Snakes of the Samara region. Togliatti: Kassandra, 2009. 170 p.

Barinov V.G. Study of the herpetofauna of Samara Luka // Ecology and animal conservation: Interuniversity. Sat. Kuibyshev, 1982. pp. 116-129.

Gorelov M.S., Pavlov S.I., Magdeev D.V.

The state of the common viper population in the Samara region // Bulletin. "Samara Luka". 1992. No. 3. P. 171-181.

Gorelov R.A. Poisonous snakes of the Samara region and the properties of their poisons. Togliatti: Kassandra, 2017. 124 p.

Red Book of the Republic of Tatarstan (animals, plants, mushrooms). Ed. 3. Kazan: Idel-Press, 2016. 760 p.

Red Book of the Russian Federation (animals). M.: AST; Astrel, 2001. 860 p.

Red Book of the Samara Region. T. 2. Rare species animals. Togliatti: “Kassandra”, 2009. 332 p.

Red Book of the Saratov Region: Mushrooms. Lichens. Plants. Animals. Saratov: Publishing House of the Sarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry. region, 2006. 528 p.

Red Book of the Ulyanovsk Region. M.: Buki Vedi, 2015. 550 p.

Magdeev D.V., Degtyarev A.I. Biology, distribution of the steppe viper (Vipera ursini renardii) in the Samara region and its breeding in the Samara Zoo // Scientific research in zoological parks. Vol. 15. Samara, 2002. pp. 93-99.

Bakiev A.G., Böhme W., Joger U. Vipera (Pelias) nikolskii Vedmederya, Grubant und Rudaeva, 1986 - Waldsteppenotter // Handbuch der Reptilien und Amphibien Europas. Band 3/IIB: Schlangen (Serpentes) III. Viperidae. Wiebelsheim: AULA-Verlag, 2005. S. 293-309.

Joger U., Dely O.G. Vipera (Pelias) renardi -Steppenotter // Handbuch der Reptilien und Amphibien Europas. Band 3/IIB: Schlangen (Serpentes) III. Viperidae. Wiebelsheim: AULA-Verlag, 2005. S. 343-354.

Snakes: common snake, water snake, copperhead snake, patterned snake, common viper, steppe viper.

In total, 11 species of reptiles live in the Samara region (also sanding and viviparous lizards, multi-colored foot-and-mouth disease, brittle spindle, and marsh turtle).

The spindle is often mistaken for a snake, but it is a lizard, albeit legless!

And among snakes, vipers are dangerous (poisonous), especially the steppe viper, but the copperhead is not dangerous for people.

Where are they distributed?

Already ordinary.
It lives most often along the banks of standing and flowing bodies of water, including sea coasts and rice fields. It dives and swims very well and can often be found far out to sea. It can climb into the mountains to heights of up to 2000-2500 meters above sea level. It uses piles of stones and brushwood, voids under roots, and rodent holes as shelter. It can also be found near human habitation.

Already aquatic.
It is strongly associated with bodies of water (both salty and fresh), where it spends much more time than the common grass snake. It feeds mainly on fish (60%), less often on amphibians. It spends the night on land, in the morning it warms up in the sun and goes into the water to hunt.

Medyanka.
They prefer forested clearings, sunny edges, dry meadows and clearings in various types forests, avoiding damp places, although they swim well. They rise into the mountains to a height of up to 3000 m above sea level, inhabiting rocky steppe areas with xerophytic vegetation. Their refuges are burrows of rodents and lizards, voids under stones and the bark of fallen tree trunks, and cracks in rocks.

Common viper.
The most common venomous snake in middle lane Russia. The common viper can be found in forest and forest-steppe zones. It is more often found in mixed forests, in clearings, swamps, overgrown burnt areas, along the banks of rivers, lakes and streams. Distributed in the European part of Russia, Siberia and Far East(up to Sakhalin), in the north - up to 68° N. latitude, and in the south - up to 40° N. w. In the mountains, the viper is found at altitudes up to 3000 m above sea level.

Steppe viper.
A typical inhabitant of lowland and mountain wormwood steppes, it is also found in steppe alpine meadows, dry slopes with bushes, in clayey ravines and semi-desert habitats. It rises into the mountains to 2500-2700 meters above sea level.

Patterned runner.
Well adapted to living in the most different conditions several natural zones: from steppes and deserts to coniferous and mixed forests. Found in floodplains and river valleys, riparian forests and reeds, in alpine meadows and the edges of swamps, salt marshes and takyrs, dunes and rice fields, in gardens and vineyards, in juniper forests (juniper woodlands) and on rocky mountain slopes, rising to a height of up to 3600 m above sea level. It climbs excellently and moves quickly both along tree branches and on the ground, swims and dives well. It uses voids under the roots and in the root zone of trees, hollows and cracks in the soil as shelters.

Samara Luka is unique edge. The area is formed by the bay (Usinsky) of the Kuibyshev reservoir and the bend of the majestic Volga River. There is a very special microclimate, amazingly beautiful mountains, the blue expanses of the Volga, a unique flora and world. All the beauties have earned Samara Luka world fame.

History of the Samarskaya Luka National Park

Not so long ago, at the end of the eighteenth century, centuries-old trees grew on the territory of Samarskaya Luka. These were predominantly pine-oak and oak-linden forests. However, later the trees were subjected to massive deforestation, which led to a significant reduction in the arrays.

Samarskaya Luka National Park was founded in 1984. The purpose of its creation was to preserve natural complexes, promote the development of national culture, as well as create all the necessary conditions for the development of tourism in the region. Many holiday homes and tourist centers have been built on the territory of the park, and winter and summer routes have been laid. Next to it is the city of Zhigulevsk, or rather, it directly adjoins it on the south side. So we can say that the residents of this city are very lucky. For them, going for a walk in the park is not difficult.

Historical sites in the park

It should be noted that the Samarskaya Luka National Park is interesting not only for its flora and fauna; there are many archaeological sites on its territory. One of them is the Murom town. It was once one of the largest settlements in Volga Bulgaria (from the ninth to the thirteenth centuries). There are also fortifications from the Bronze and Iron Ages. All of them need further study, because they can still tell a lot of new things.

Back in 2011, a wonderful exhibition of archaeological finds called “Antiquities of Samara Luka” was opened on the territory of the park. Just imagine that there are exhibits here belonging to different eras: the Stone, Bronze, Iron Ages and the Middle Ages. How interesting it is to see in real life objects from the time of the Golden Horde!

Since the city of Zhigulevsk is located very close, this exhibition was opened with the support of its local history museum. Local residents do not always have the opportunity and time to visit museums. But for those who come to the park on vacation, this very convenient opportunity may present itself when it is quite possible to combine entertainment with educational excursions.

In general, the entire history of this region is closely intertwined with the names of such historical figures, like Stepan Razin, Ermak, Emelyan Pugachev, Alexander Menshikov and the Orlov brothers.

Nature of the national park

The nature of Samara Luka is rich a variety of plants, which from spring to autumn cover the steppes with all kinds of flowers. The vegetation of this area has deep scientific significance. Six plant species were once discovered here for the first time, three of which are found nowhere else. This is the sunflower coinifolia, spurge Zhigulevskiy, pumpkin Zhigulevskiy. Many plants of Samara Luka are quite rare and are found only in these places.

Relict trees that have survived to the present day from ancient eras (pre-glacial, glacial, post-glacial periods) are very interesting for research. Oddly enough, the glacier could not reach the Zhiguli Mountains, and therefore had virtually no effect on the nature of Samara Luka. The largest number of relics can be found in the rocky mountain steppe.

Fauna

The fauna of Samara Luka is quite unique. This is reflected in the fact that at least thirty percent of vertebrates live here on the border of their ranges. These include: the viviparous lizard, the common viper, the bushy owl, the hazel grouse and the capercaillie. All of them are representatives of Siberian and taiga species. And at the same time, typical representatives of southern steppe species live next to them: marsh turtle, patterned snake, golden bee-eater, water snake.

There are also relict species here. It is interesting that they are separated from the main habitat by a fairly large distance. This is a patterned snake, a beetle

Modern animals of Samara Luka are also diverse: roe deer, elk, wolf, wild boar, lynx, marten, hare, fox, muskrat and many others. They all live here in comfortable natural conditions.

Samara Luka Mountains

On the northwestern part of the Samara Luka there is the Molodetsky Kurgan. This is where the 75-kilometer ridge begins. The mound is shrouded in many stories and legends. Its height is slightly more than two hundred meters. It hangs over the waters of the Volga Reservoir next to the Usinsk Bay.

One of the fairy tale legends tells that once upon a time in beautiful girl Well done guy fell in love with Volga. But the beauty didn’t like him. Her heart was occupied by the Caspian Sea. And so the young man decided to block her path and not let her see her opponent. Then Volga deceived him. She lulled both the young man and his squad to sleep with her sweet speeches. And she ran away to her beloved. Much time has passed since then, the fellow and his warriors were petrified, turning into the Molodetsky Kurgan. And since then, the Volga has always lulled them to sleep with the murmur of its waters. Like this beautiful story the emergence of Samara Luka and the Zhiguli Mountains. However, this is just a legend.

In fact, the path of the river was once blocked by a fold formed due to the movement of earth layers. The Volga had no choice but to direct its waters around the obstacle. This is how the legendary and bizarre bend of the river was formed.

The Molodetsky Kurgan has long been of interest to many scientists. This is essentially a unique place. He seems very stern, this look is given to him completely sheer cliffs. And only one of the slopes covers dense forest, and at the very top of the mound relict pine trees grow. All the beauty of this place cannot be expressed in words. On Molodetsky Kurgan you can find absolutely rare representatives fauna: white-tailed eagle, and Apollo.

From the top of the mound there is a beautiful view of the reservoir, mountains and Usinsky Bay. Even before the flooding, the Kalmyk Island was located opposite the Kurgan, and behind it, on the opposite bank of the river, was the one-story wooden city of Stavropol. But after the territories were flooded, naturally, the water level rose by almost thirty meters, and the lower part of the shallow Us River turned into the Usinsky Bay.

Molodetsky Kurgan is especially popular among tourists. And on the shore of the bay they often spend environmental actions, sport competitions, all sorts of rallies. The mound is included in the excursion route of the national park.

Maiden Mountain

Devichya Gora is located next to the Molodetsky Kurgan. She is also called little sister. After the flooding, the Kuibyshev Reservoir hid more than half of the mountain under its waters. Devichya Gora is also shrouded in legends, like the whole Samara Luka.

Mount Camel

This bizarre mountain is located near Krestovaya Polyana (the village of Shiryaevo). It got its name because of the bizarre shape of the peak, which seems to hang over the Volga and really resembles this animal. From the top of the mountain there is a beautiful view of the surrounding area and the banks of the Volga, Tsarev Kurgan and the Zhigulevsky Gate. Tsarev Kurgan was once one with the mountain range.

As for the Zhiguli Gate, this is the narrowest place in the Volka valley, here the river flow is strongest.

The depths of Mount Camel are penetrated by a network of adits; they are cool even in the hot summer. The rails on which trolleys ran at the beginning of the century are still preserved here. Currently, the adits have become home to the largest colony bats on all Volga lands.

The village of Shiryaevo is located near the mountain. Repin once worked here. It has long been loved not only by tourists, but also by rock climbers, who have equipped it with a climbing wall.

The Zhiguli Mountains end near the village of Podgory, turning into a plateau. It rises above the river by about forty meters. Its surface is cut by ravines and hollows, alternating with rocks and forests.

Rock Visly stone

The Rock is another local landmark. It consists of limestone rocks. And on its slopes grow lindens, oaks, maples, as well as violets, lilies of the valley, and bobwhite. The top of the rock looks like a small platform. It offers a wonderful view of the Snake Backwater and the Shelekhmet Mountains.

Snake Bay

At the foot of the cliff there is Lake Vislokamenka (Snake). Although now it is more correct to call it a bay (after the construction of a cascade of reservoirs). People say that the lake got its name because there were always a lot of snakes here. And to this day, these places are considered the most serpentine in the entire Samara Luka. Don’t think that this place is absolutely teeming with them. Snakes and snakes are more common, but poisonous snakes are rare.

These places are inhabited by the white-tailed eagle, which is listed in the Red Book. Wild boars, roe deer, and kites are also found in the adjacent lands of the backwater. Rocky steppes and meadows, coniferous and deciduous forests predominate here. All this combines perfectly and creates an indescribable beauty that attracts many tourists.

On the lands of Samarskaya Luka there is not only the Samarskaya Luka National Park, but also the Zhigulevsky national reserve them. I. I. Saprygin, which is one of the oldest in Russia.

Birds of the region

Many birds of the Samara Luka are listed in the Red Book. In general, there are more than two hundred species of birds. Unfortunately, species diversity has decreased over the last century. The black stork is one of the extinct species. This situation is associated primarily with human influence. After all, roads were built here, oil was extracted, and the banks of the Volga were developed. All this to some extent affected nature.

Most of the bird species that live on Samarskaya Luka nest here regularly or live as sedentary residents. But there are also species that fly into the territory during migrations.

Particularly interesting are wood grouse, black grouse and hazel grouse. Once upon a time there were a lot of them living here. Now everything has changed. But, on the other hand, the white-tailed eagle has become a settled permanent resident of these places.

The combination of floodplain and mountain landscapes creates unique conditions for numerous representatives of the animal world, many varieties of bats that have chosen the local adits. So that no one disturbs the bats in winter time, the entrances to the caves are blocked by bars.

Instead of an afterword

Samara Luka - the rarest a natural phenomenon. Ministry natural resources It was not without reason that at one time it created a national park. These places are unique in terms of the composition of flora and fauna. Not long ago at the base Zhigulevsky Nature Reserve biosphere reserves were opened. Their goal was to ensure the protection of the lands of the Volga region and the landscapes of Zhiguli. Most of the reserve lands are located on the territory of Samarskaya Luka. This is primarily due to the fact that these lands have not been so strongly affected by human influence. This means that there is still a chance to somehow preserve everything that currently exists. On the territory of the bioreserve there are completely unique ecosystems: the Samarskaya Luka plateau, stone steppes, mixed forests, etc. The Ministry of Natural Resources must carry out environmental protection measures aimed at protecting the human influence on nature. Because not all human actions are for her benefit.

Samarskaya Luka National Park is unique place, amazing with its beauty. Visit it and experience amazing world nature.

IN recent months Tolyatti residents have repeatedly contacted the editorial office of our newspaper with complaints about an unpleasant neighborhood - snakes, which often choose to live in summer cottages. " What to do? Where to contact?"- we address your questions to Viktor Shaposhnikov - biologist, researcher Samara State University.

Several species of snakes live in the Samara region, which we sometimes come across in the forest, in the field, near reservoirs and on garden plots. These are non-poisonous reptiles - water snake, common snake, patterned snake - and poisonous - steppe and common vipers, as well as a rare “Red Book” species - Nikolsky’s viper.

It can be very difficult for a non-specialist to distinguish venomous snakes from non-venomous ones, especially if the reptile quickly crawls through the grass. But if you manage to see a snake in a calm state, then the main thing distinctive features Poisonous snakes will have a spear-shaped head with wide “cheekbones” and a small, thin tail that is clearly visible on a thick body. Although this is not an indicator, poisonous snakes move slower than snakes and snakes and often curl up into rings, sticking their heads above them. Snakes and snakes try to crawl away to the last, and only those squeezed into a corner try to imitate poisonous snakes.

In the Samara region, the water snake and the common viper can be very similar in appearance. Both of these species are often black in color. The shape of the scales differs, and also in the water snake the abdomen is painted like a chessboard, while in the viper it is black. Common snake it is easier to recognize: its body is also black, but on its head there are two yellow or orange spots in the form of a crown. The lifestyle of these reptiles is also different. Snakes always live near bodies of water where there are a lot of frogs and fish, which they feed on, but vipers prefer drier places, mountain slopes, forest edges, forested ravines, that is, where there are a lot of mouse-like rodents - the main food of ordinary vipers. Steppe viper named after its habitat - the steppes, where it feeds on lizards, locusts and mouse-like rodents. Patterned snakes are mainly found on the rocky, forested slopes of Samarskaya Luka. They feed on mouse-like rodents, sometimes birds and their chicks and eggs, as well as lizards.

If your dachas are located next to one or another biotope, then you may encounter the corresponding snakes there. If the dacha is located in Samarskaya Luka, then you can meet both types of snakes, as well as the patterned snake and the common viper. For some gardeners, proximity to these reptiles is unacceptable due to the fear that most people have of snakes. But this is not a reason to kill them! The best thing to do is to call specialists who would catch the snakes and move them to other places where the reptiles will not scare people. Calling a specialist is the most correct decision, since killing snakes is prohibited by nature conservation law and is punishable by a fine.

Reptiles of the Samara region

Snakes: the common snake, the water snake, the copperhead, the patterned snake, the common viper, the steppe viper, and in total 11 species of reptiles live in the Samara region (also quick and viviparous lizards, multi-colored foot-and-mouth disease, brittle spindle, marsh turtle) the spindle is often mistaken for a snake, but This is a lizard, albeit legless!..., and among snakes, vipers are dangerous (poisonous), especially the steppe viper, but the copperhead is not dangerous for people.
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where common:

It lives most often along the banks of standing and flowing bodies of water, including sea coasts and rice fields. It dives and swims very well and can often be found far out to sea. It can climb into the mountains to heights of up to 2000-2500 meters above sea level. It uses piles of stones and brushwood, voids under roots, and rodent holes as shelter. It can also be found near human habitation.

already aquatic
It is strongly associated with bodies of water (both salty and fresh), where it spends much more time than the common grass snake. It feeds mainly on fish (60%), less often on amphibians. It spends the night on land, in the morning it warms up in the sun and goes into the water to hunt.

copperhead
prefer forested clearings, sunny edges, dry meadows and clearings in various types of forest, avoiding damp places, although they swim well. They rise into the mountains to a height of up to 3000 m above sea level, inhabiting rocky steppe areas with xerophytic vegetation. Their refuges are burrows of rodents and lizards, voids under stones and the bark of fallen tree trunks, and cracks in rocks.

common viper
the most common poisonous snake in central Russia. The common viper can be found in forest and forest-steppe zones. It is more often found in mixed forests, in clearings, swamps, overgrown burnt areas, along the banks of rivers, lakes and streams. Distributed in the European part of Russia, in Siberia and the Far East (up to Sakhalin), in the north - up to 68° N. latitude, and in the south - up to 40° N. w. In the mountains, the viper is found at altitudes up to 3000 m above sea level.

steppe viper
A typical inhabitant of lowland and mountain wormwood steppes, it is also found in steppe alpine meadows, dry slopes with bushes, in clayey ravines and semi-desert habitats. It rises into the mountains to 2500-2700 meters above sea level.

Patterned runner
well adapted to living in a wide variety of conditions in several natural zones: from steppes and deserts to coniferous and mixed forests. Found in floodplains and river valleys, riparian forests and reeds, in alpine meadows and the edges of swamps, salt marshes and takyrs, dunes and rice fields, in gardens and vineyards, in juniper forests (juniper woodlands) and on rocky mountain slopes, rising to a height of up to 3600 m above sea level. It climbs excellently and moves quickly both along tree branches and on the ground, swims and dives well. It uses voids under the roots and in the root zone of trees, hollows and cracks in the soil as shelters.