Common copperhead. What is the difference between a copperhead and a viper: features and differences

The common copperhead is a species of snake belonging to the family Colubridae. These snakes are relatively small in size, their body length reaches a maximum of 70 centimeters, but despite this, the copperhead is a strong and durable snake.

The length of the tail is equal to a fourth or fifth of the entire body. The head is flattened, almost fused with the body. The scales are smooth.

The common copperhead has a grayish or brown color on the upper part of the body, which can sometimes have a reddish tint. Brownish coloring is most often observed in females, and reddish coloring is most often observed in males. There are 2-4 rows of longitudinal dark spots along the back, but in some individuals they are practically invisible. Often there is an arched dark stripe on the head. A dark stripe runs from the nostrils to the eyes, which extends further to the corners of the mouth. eyes common copperhead often red. The sides are strewn with small various specks.

The lower part of the body, like the upper part, is gray, brown, reddish or pink color. The ventral side is decorated with a pattern of blurry dark specks and spots. There may be a dark gray stripe in the middle of the abdomen. The underside of the tail is lighter than the top. Newborn snakes have a brighter color: their lower body is red, and the pattern on the back is brighter and more noticeable. It is because of the copper-red belly and reddish tint of the back that the copperhead got its name.

Since the copperhead, like the viper, has a massive build and similar colors, these 2 species are often confused with each other. But, nevertheless, there are quite noticeable differences between these species. In the viper, the head is clearly limited from the neck, and it has a spear-shaped shape, while in the copperhead, the cervical transition is weakly defined, and the head is narrower. The head of the copperhead is covered with large scutes; in vipers they are smaller. The copperhead has smooth scales, while the viper has ribbed scales. The viper has a vertical pupil, and the copperhead has a round one.

Range of the common copperhead

The common copperhead lives almost throughout Europe, Asia Minor, Western Kazakhstan, Northern Iran and the Caucasus. In our country, representatives of the species live in the European part, reaching Western Siberia in the east, and Lake Onega in the north.

The habitat of the common copperhead is wooded areas. They live in coniferous, deciduous and mixed natural forests. These snakes prefer sunny edges, overgrown clearings and clearings. In open areas, for example, in meadows and steppes, they are rare. In the mountains, copperheads live on slopes overgrown with bushes. Sometimes these snakes are found in subalpine zones, at altitudes of up to 3000 meters.

The population density of these snakes is insignificant. Copperheads are not as common as snakes and vipers living in the same areas. In many parts of the range (mainly in the north) only single individuals can be found.

Copperhead lifestyle

As a rule, these snakes prefer a terrestrial lifestyle, but sometimes they climb onto the branches of bushes. Copperheads hide in rodent burrows, tree trunks, in rock cracks and between stones. Copperheads do not like damp places and are reluctant to dive into water, but if necessary they swim quite well.

Copperheads are heat-loving creatures, so they are active mainly during the daytime. But sometimes they can be found at dusk or even in the middle of a moonlit night. They are extremely attached to a specific habitat; each individual lives in its own small area, where they live for years.

Copperheads have characteristic defensive tactics. When an enemy attacks a snake, it curls up into a tight ball and sticks its head inside. If you touch it at this moment, it curls even more. From this position, she sharply rushes towards the enemy. If you take a copperhead in your hands, it will bite fiercely, and it can bite through the skin until it bleeds. This is probably why many people view copperheads negatively.

Sometimes copperheads are unreasonably considered more poisonous and dangerous snake than vipers. Sometimes copperheads, like snakes, shoot at the enemy with secretions of the cloacal glands. The resemblance to a viper and defensive tactics do not always help the copperhead to escape. The natural enemies of these snakes are wild boars, martens, birds and rats. Large songbirds and frogs pose a danger to newborn copperheads.

In captivity, the unfriendly nature of copperheads is gradually tamed, and over time they begin to feed from hands.

What do common copperheads eat?

The diet of the common copperhead consists of various vertebrates that live in the habitats of these snakes. But they give preference to lizards of any species. Copperheads are quite slow, so they prefer to hunt victims resting in their shelters rather than moving ones. This is how they lie in wait for the hidden spindles. Often copperheads sit in ambush and wait for a victim, when a lizard crawls past, the snake rushes at it with lightning speed. The snake wraps its body around the victim, but it does not always strangle it; it can simply hold it in a comfortable position for swallowing. The muscles of copperheads are better developed than those of copperheads. They can use their body to hold the victim by small parts of the body, for example, by the paw.

It can be difficult for a small copperhead to cope with large lizards, so sometimes real fights occur, in which, as a rule, the snake wins. Sometimes a lizard in its death throes grabs the snake with its jaws so tightly that the snake has to tear the lizard away from itself along with its own skin. Copperheads also help to defeat lizards with their saliva, which is dangerous and poisonous for cold-blooded lizards. The snake injects saliva into the body of the victim during a strong bite.

The poison is also dangerous for other victims of copperheads - snakes and various snakes. Copperheads exhibit cannibalism. These snakes have an excellent appetite. They can swallow large prey up to 35 centimeters long, with their own body length 57 centimeters, and several animals at once - up to 3 lizards are often found in the stomachs of these snakes.

While searching for food, copperheads crawl into rodent burrows and happily eat their offspring. In spring, copperheads are found in pairs. During mating, the male copperhead, like the male slender snake, holds his chosen one with his jaws, and he wraps himself around her body. Copperheads can also mate in the fall, in which case the female produces offspring the following summer.

Reproduction of copperheads

Copperheads give birth to their babies alive, but they are in egg membranes. Newborn snakes, whose body length reaches 12-17 centimeters, emerge from the shell and begin independent life. One female gives birth to 2-15 babies. Young individuals can hunt insects, but, like adults, they prefer lizards, albeit smaller ones. Sexual maturity in copperheads occurs at 3 years.

The small number of copperheads in their habitats is most likely explained by their predilection for lizards. This food supply is not very extensive compared to rodents and frogs. The reduction in the number of lizards also negatively affects the population of the common copperhead. People also cause damage to the population, destroying copperheads everywhere. As a result, the population in many regions is under threat of extinction. In some European countries, copperheads are protected by law.

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In this article we will look at whether the copperhead is dangerous and its differences from other snakes.

Reptiles, especially snakes, that live near human habitation have always caused fear. And the copperhead has gathered around itself a lot since ancient times. dangerous stories and legends. Moreover, the red-eyed snake or legless lizard was associated with evil spirits. This article will provide material on who such a reptile actually is. Should you be afraid of her and how to protect yourself from her attack if circumstances require it.

Common copperhead - snake or legless lizard: brief description

The common copperhead has a “sister” by name. In nature, there is another reptile with a similar root “name” - the copperhead or brittle spindle. Therefore, it is worthwhile to immediately understand this issue in order to dispel all the myths and rumors about such animals.

IMPORTANT: The copperhead is a snake! It belongs to the class Reptiles and the family Colubridae, and its species is non-venomous snakes. And here the copperhead is already a false-legged lizard, which belongs to a completely different class - Reptiles, from the spindle family. Therefore, do not confuse these two different animals! And one should not call a snake and a lizard by the same name.

• The common copperhead is a small snake that is often mistaken for a viper. But they note its great strength and strength. Maximum length copperheads - 60-70 cm. In this case, the body covers 4-6 times more length than the tail. More precisely, the copperhead is distinguished by its short tail.
• It is compared to a viper because the copperhead has smooth, dark-colored dorsal scales in the form of diamonds or hexagons. Which is very similar to the “zigzag” of a viper.
• Their color is also often almost identical. But there is a main difference between the copperhead and all other species, and for which it received its “name” - it is a copper tint. A special place is the belly and around the head. It is in this area that any color of the snake will shimmer with the color of copper.
• The color of the copperhead can be from a paradoxical gray color to a brown-brown-red color. Moreover, they can have a light tone of gray or such a rich shade that it looks like a black color.
• A distinctive feature of copperheads is that the female is always darker than the male. There is also a pattern when the snake becomes several tones darker during the molting period.

• Their abdomen can also be of different colors - from gray to red-brown, which often happens with a copper tint. But there are even representatives with a steel-colored belly.
• Copperheads can be completely monochromatic. Sometimes there are snakes with brown or black spots all over their bodies. There may be blurry spots or sharp lines in the middle.

IMPORTANT: The iris of the copperhead’s eyes is yellow or red! It all depends on the species and habitat, but there are no other colors.

• Another small recommendation on how to determine the sex and age of a copperhead - look at the color intensity. If there are more red notes in its color, then this is a male, but a female has calmer brown tones.
• With age, the brightness of the color and clarity of the pattern is washed off and lost. Therefore, if you see a copperhead with a bright color, then it is young.

Common copperhead - poisonous or not?

We made a slight reservation on a similar topic when we recalled the appearance of the copperhead. But this question has a certain catch - it is a poisonous snake, but not for humans.

• The fact is that she has poisonous teeth. But they are located in the very depths of the mouth, especially since the size of the copperhead’s mouth is very small. Therefore, it will not harm a person. But, swallowing prey, it can easily kill it.
• It is also worth noting that it uses the secretions of the paracloacal glands to attack. They have an extremely unpleasant odor.
• To defend or attack, it often uses toxic saliva to paralyze. After all, its size is not so large as to strangle its victim. Therefore, before a meal, she paralyzes her.

Dangerous snake, but not for humans

• But we must not forget that she produces this toxin and the poison itself in small quantities. Therefore, the copperhead does not harm a large animal or, especially, a person.
• All rumors about its poisonousness are rooted in its resemblance to a viper.
• Also, people have long been frightened by her red eyes. There is even such a version: if bitten by a “copper snake,” the person will die before sunset.
• Many people attack the copperhead, mistaking it for a viper.

IMPORTANT: The copperhead is protected by law, since mass extermination has led to a decrease in the genus. This is a rare species! In some countries it is listed in the Red Book.

What does a legless lizard, snake, common, yellow, red copperhead, copperhead, brittle spindle, grass snake, viper, yellow-bellied snake, snake look like: photo

We present to your attention photos of these animals. Visually it is easier to find similarities or differences between these “beauties”. After all, they are often confused with each other. But they all have their own characteristics, which helps determine who is who.

IMPORTANT: The copperhead has a bottom distinguishing feature, which makes her stand out from everyone else. She has a thin black stripe or line running from her nostrils through her eye. You can also see two merged brown spots on the back of the head. And not a single reptile can play with a copper tint like that, especially in the sun.

Already

Legless lizard, snake, common, yellow, red copperhead, copperhead, brittle spindle, grass snake, viper, yellow-bellied snake, snake: what are their differences and similarities, what color, what class do they belong to?

All these animals have only one thing in common - they all belong to the same class of Reptiles or Reptiles. Also, the similarity can be attributed to the absence of paws, which is not at all typical for lizards and creates some confusion. The coloring of some species is also misleading.

• Brittle spindle or slow spindle together with yellowbell or capercaillie- These are lizards that belong to the same Veretenitsev family. They don't have paws. They differ from the copperhead in their color and shape. The copperhead has an almost bronze color, and the capercaillie has an olive-brown color.
  • The yellowtail is visually different from the copperhead, but the copperhead is a little misleading. But it is much brighter and has a clearer pattern on its back. By the way, it is a little reminiscent of a gold or bronze chain that came to life in your hands.
• To highlight snake, look at his “ears”. They usually yellow color, but can be white or orange in color. The color of snakes can range from gray to Brown to black tone.
• It can also be gray or brown in color, with brown notes. Their distinctive feature is longitudinal stripes of a darker shade. As a rule, there are four of them.

IMPORTANT: Already, snake and copperhead belong to the same family - Colubridans. They have some similar features, but are visually different from each other. also belongs to the family Gadyukovs. Its color is often gray, brown or reddish with a deceptive copper tint!

How to distinguish a copperhead from a viper?

• Eyes- This is an important difference between these families. The viper has a vertical pupil, while the copperhead has a round pupil!
• Look at tail shape– in the viper it is short, thick and blunt. Colubrid reptiles have a narrower, relatively long and sharp tail. The tip of the viper itself is painted in a different color - yellow, orange or red.
• At the viper head separated from the body and has a triangular shape, somewhat reminiscent of a spear. In the copperhead it acts as an extension of the body.
• If the color can be confusing, then scales- No. In a viper, each scale has a certain elevation in the center, which seems to divide it in half. That is, there is cue. The copperhead doesn't have this!
• The viper also has a zigzag dark stripe, but it is not present in all species. Therefore, this is not the most reliable way to differentiate.

The main difference is the teeth

• The viper has poisonous front teeth. The copperhead does not have them. Her front teeth are not so developed, so they are not conspicuous.

IMPORTANT: Do not even think about touching a dead snake. Especially if there are signs of a viper lying there. Under no circumstances should her teeth be checked. This is not the most main feature to recognize the pit viper and copperhead. The danger lies in the fact that Even a dead poisonous snake has venom on its teeth!

Copper snake - varieties: brief description, photo for children

Varieties of copperhead have not been fully studied. New subspecies are constantly being discovered. But science classifies them all as one species – the common copperhead. They are divided mainly by different colors.

In Russia, the gray or brown copperhead is more common. There are red or even pinkish copperheads. And in some areas there is even a black copperhead. But their most important feature is the copper tint of the back and abdomen.

Copper snake: viviparous or not?

This type of snake is a viviparous animal. But it is also impossible to completely call them such. The cubs remain in the mother's womb until almost full maturity, but are born in an egg. More precisely in his film. This egg is very thin, so the baby will soon tear it apart. Therefore, it is more correct to call their reproduction – ovoviviparity.

Where does the copperhead live in Belarus, Russia, the Urals, Crimea, Tatarstan, how long does it live?

Such a snake lives about 10-15 years. Everything depends on living conditions. In captivity, they can live much longer, because the threat of attack disappears natural enemies. They often become prey for wild boars, rats or martens, as well as some birds and hedgehogs. Juveniles may be attacked by grass frogs.

• The copperhead loves warmth, which is why it looks for sunny places. She can swim, but avoids swampy and damp places, as well as those near water bodies.
• It can be found in almost all deciduous forests. The secret is that she hides behind the leaves, but in meadows or steppes she can stumble upon her enemy. Therefore, the copperhead avoids them. You can also find the copperhead in the coniferous forest.
• This snake lives in both Belarus and Tatarstan, and also covers all European countries. In Russia, it reaches the border of Siberia and Lake Onega. In general, she chooses the southern side of European regions.

• If we talk about the subalpine zone, the copperhead can rise 3000 meters above sea level.
• Their peak activity occurs in the morning and evening. Rarely occurs at night, but such cases have been reported.
• These snakes can attack their relatives. Therefore, only one snake coexists in one territory. Copperheads lead a solitary lifestyle. Such a “plot” of one snake does not exceed more than 1 hectare.

What does a copperhead eat in nature: a description for children

It is worth noting that copperheads are very slow, so they attack resting prey or use ambushes. For these purposes, they are armed with grass or foliage.

• The basis of their diet is lizards. Often a battle can even break out between them. By the way, a copperhead can defeat a representative larger than its size. If the lizard grabs onto the snake very tenaciously, then the copperhead can tear it off along with its skin.
• They love lizards of all kinds - this is 60% of their diet. But more often they feast on spindles and nimble lizards.
• The copperhead has very well developed muscles. Stronger than that of a viper or snake. Therefore, she wraps the victim in several rings that can tenaciously hold even, for example, a small paw.

• The diet is also supplemented by rodents, especially voles and mice. Its menu also includes shrews, sparrows and some types of other snakes. She mainly chooses the cubs. This diet covers approximately 5% of the entire meal.
• The rest falls to the lot of insects and frogs (baby snakes especially feast on them).
• By the way, cases of cannibalism were also noted among copperheads. And the copperhead can often attack an entire nest of some animal and destroy all the offspring.

How the respiratory system of the copperhead works: description

Despite this peculiar shape, the copperhead and other snakes have internal organs. But there is a certain feature that is common to the entire class.

• In the copperhead and other species, the left lung is reduced. This is due to the fact that the shape of the snake is narrow and oblong, and it has to crawl on the ground. To be able to wriggle without squeezing the organs, nature reduced one lung by almost 85%. It practically does not play any important role.
• But the right lung stretched to about a third of the length of the entire body. All responsibility for breathing rests with him.
• They also have a tracheal lung. It has a bag-like shape and is a continuation of the trachea. Its location is on the upper side of the posterior trachea. The tissue composition is reminiscent of a sponge, since it has many small cells in which gas exchange occurs.

IMPORTANT: The tracheal lung of snakes is used in situations, for example, when the right lung is compressed by a swallowed large animal. That is, its use is compensatory.

• Copperheads and other snakes have another unique feature - they can breathe while eating. They swallow their prey. Therefore, in order not to block the access of oxygen, this trachea is moved slightly to the side. And it allows you to breathe while eating.
• Just like other serpentine species, copperheads have an organ of charm that is their tongue. It is with its help that they catch odors.

How dangerous is the copperhead snake for humans?

In principle, the copperhead does not pose a serious danger to humans. It has already been mentioned that its poisonous teeth are located deep in its mouth. Therefore, for her to bite you, you will need to stick your finger deep into the throat. Similar cases have not yet been observed.

• But, like any reptile or even just a wild animal, it can cause infection. Especially if there was a bite to the point of bleeding. This happens, although relatively rarely. In situations where the place of attack was the hand or fingers.
• Do not forget that the copperhead does not clean its teeth, and can also feed on poisonous relatives. An infection from another animal or simply a piece of food that has already decomposed may remain on the teeth. In general, there is no talk of sterility. Therefore, the wound must be treated without fail.
• Persons with weak immune systems will be affected. After all, any infection can develop into a serious illness.

• Allergy sufferers are also at risk! The reaction may not be limited to just a rash, itching or redness. Don't forget that allergies can affect the respiratory system. And the person will simply suffocate because the swollen throat will cut off oxygen.
• Small children can be bitten more easily and forcefully. And their curiosity often becomes the reason for this. Plus, young children do not have strong immunity to resist most dangerous diseases.
• Elderly people can also suffer from a copperhead bite. Any reptile attack affects heart function and blood pressure levels. Elderly people often experience differences in this area.
• The condition may worsen, as with any bite from a wild animal. The bite site will hurt and cause discomfort. But, if there are no allergies, infections and complications, then there is no danger.

What happens if a copperhead bites?

Nothing will happen. The bite site will be painful, swollen and slightly red. Perhaps a slight deterioration in general health. But no deaths were registered, nor, in principle, were there any serious consequences after a copperhead bite. For example, after a bee sting, allergic reactions are even more dangerous. By the way, even sucking out the poison from a copperhead is very problematic, so poison or a reptile bite does not pose any threat to humans!

Copperhead bite: symptoms in humans, first aid

Keep in mind that a copperhead can bite even an adult on the lower part of its leg. Therefore, try not to walk in open shoes where the copperhead may live. Let's look at its symptoms.

• If a copperhead has bitten, for example, your fingers or hand, then traces of two bites will be clearly visible (there are two of them). It will be difficult for her to bite through a larger area of ​​the body.
• The bite site will be very painful, which is quite natural and normal.
• The affected area will swell and there will be slight redness around the bites. Again, this is the body's natural response to injury.
• Not always, but an increase in body temperature may occur. Also take into account your weight, because the toxic saliva of the copperhead acts depending on the volume of muscle mass.

• Thirst and increased sweating are another symptom of a reptile bite.
• The pupils react poorly to light.
• A snake bite of any kind increases blood pressure and always increases heart rate.
• In severe situations, complications are observed: suffocation, swelling, severe deviation from normal heart function, and a strong surge in pressure is also possible.

IMPORTANT: The above symptoms are a normal reaction of the body. The copperhead is a wild animal, so its bite will cause discomfort to humans. All these symptoms will go away quickly if you do everything necessary measures, and you are not at risk. But, if inflammation or suppuration is observed around the wound, a strong rise in temperature, or any of the allergic and complicated reactions, then the victim must be immediately taken to a medical facility!

First aid for a copperhead bite

• The wound should be rinsed with running water and clean water. As a last resort, you can at least use antiseptic wipes.
• Be sure to treat the wound with an alcohol-based antiseptic. This must be done within half an hour to prevent the spread of infection or the development of “bad” germs and bacteria.
• A cold compress should be applied to the bite site. You can just use a bottle with cold water or a napkin soaked in cool liquid.
• Do not drink alcohol under any circumstances to neutralize the poison! This is a myth and just complete nonsense. Under the influence of alcohol, the blood thins, and the poison is only transferred faster.

• If available, the patient should be given an anesthetic. Allergy sufferers should definitely take an antihistamine.
• The patient should take a horizontal position, relax and rest a little. You also need to provide the victim with plenty of warm fluids!
• If the condition worsens or if severe allergic reactions occur, the patient is taken to the hospital!

IMPORTANT: Cauterizing or cutting the bite site is strictly prohibited. All this will only lead to additional infection! It is useless to suck out the poison of the copperhead, since it simply will not be there.

How to keep and what to feed copperhead at home?

• The copperhead should live in a terrarium that is quite spacious. Be sure to take care of artificial lighting.
• Make sure that the temperature does not fall below 22 °C, and in cold weather does not fall below 15 °C.
• Pour earth and sand into her “house”, and lay foliage, branches and several pieces of tree bark on top.
• Don’t forget to monitor the humidity by periodically spraying your home with a spray bottle.
• We already talked about nutrition a little higher. Therefore, it is worth taking care of your supplies of lizards and snakes.
• By the way, the copperhead will hunt itself, but first you should feed it with tweezers. You can also give frozen product.

How high do copperheads jump?

Another myth that “walks” around the copperhead. They don't jump because they don't know how to do it! Their muscles are not so developed. Yes, she can do lunges, but nothing more. This is a natural defensive reaction. If you don’t bother her and don’t disturb her nest, then the copperhead will never attack first in her life.

When in danger, it usually moves to the side and curls up into a ball, hiding its head. It can hiss and lunge, but does not jump on a person. By the way, sharpness is her strong point.

What are copperhead snakes afraid of: how to get rid of copperhead in your summer cottage?

The first rule for copperheads, as for other snakes, is noise. Therefore, install a rustling film, bells or plastic bottles. The main thing is that they are low near the ground. Then the snake will hear this noise. Also keep an eye on your territory. Remove any piles of leaves and debris. Then she will not have the opportunity to create her nest on your site.

• Also place sheep rope around the entire perimeter. You can even just use animal hair or old woolen threads.
• Copperheads don't like the smell of burnt rubber, so you can also get rid of old things. Saltpeter is another substance they don't like.
• The copperhead does not tolerate the smell of kerosene, but it can also become unpleasant for humans. Therefore, plant garlic on the territory or sprinkle mustard everywhere.

Common copperhead - reproduction, what does a baby copperhead look like?

Let us repeat that this is a viviparous snake, the young of which are born in an ovoid membrane. Their mating season begins in the spring, and their general activity lasts six months. During this time, she should leave offspring and quietly go to winter in September-October.

IMPORTANT: They have some unique ability– store spermatozoa in special seminal receptacles. If mating happened in the fall, then pregnancy will “wait” until spring.

• During mating, the male holds the female by the throat with his jaws, while wrapping himself around her body. After the “mating” process, the male leaves the expectant mother.
• The eggs are already born fully developed. Therefore, the cubs quickly break this shell.
• From 2 to 15 cubs can be born. These are full-fledged small snakes that are up to 17 cm long and have the same color, only with a brighter shade and pattern.

• From birth they are independent and leave their mother's nest. They begin to hunt insects. Then they move on to small lizards, then to rodents.
• At three years old, they are ready for puberty.

Does the brittle spindle, copperhead, or copperhead have movable eyelids, is the temperature constant, does it cast its tail?

We will sort it out again in order. Let us repeat once again that the brittle spindle or copperhead is a lizard. But the copperhead is a snake. Therefore, before you are completely different representatives who have different indicators.

• The copperhead does not seem to have eyelids, but the copperhead has them. And yes, they are mobile. But we're talking about for the common copperhead, so we won’t confuse it different types between themselves.
• The copperhead still has some modified eyelids. They are simply transparent and fused. Therefore, all types of snakes simply do not know how to blink, so that there is nothing to do. Copperheads and other representatives even sleep with their eyes open.
• This film covers the eyes permanently, protecting them from external factors. By the way, before molting, this film begins to slowly peel off, so the eyes appear cloudy and even have a certain bluish tint.

• Body temperature of copperhead and copperhead fickle. They are cold-blooded animals. And their body temperature depends on air temperature environment. As a rule, it is 1-2 °C higher or equal to it.
• The copperhead's tail doesn't disappear. This is the prerogative of lizards. If you grab a snake by the tail, it will twist itself around to bite you.

Video: Is copperhead dangerous?

The common copperhead is small, its total length is no more than 75 cm, of which 6-7 cm is the short tail. Usually grayish-brown, yellowish-brown or copper-red. Along the back there are 2-4 rows of longitudinal dark spots, sometimes merging.

Two dark spots or stripes stand out on the neck, merging at the back of the head. The head is dark on top or has a characteristic arched stripe and broken line. The underside of the body is grayish to reddish. The pupil is round (which makes it different from vipers). A narrow dark stripe runs from the nostril through the eye and further to the corner of the mouth, sometimes continuing on the sides of the neck. The iris of the eyes is often red.

The intermaxillary shield protrudes strongly at an angle between the internasal ones, so that the length of its part visible from above is equal to or slightly exceeds the length of the suture connecting the latter. The nostril is located between 2 scutes. Preorbital - 1, very rarely 2; it does not reach far from the frontal shield, hardly protruding onto the upper surface of the head. The infraorbital is absent; if there is a small shield occupying the position of the infraorbital, then it lies between the 2nd and 3rd upper labial or on the 3rd upper labial. Postorbitals - 2. Upper labial scutes 7, less often 8; of these, the 3rd and 4th or the 4th and 5th touch the eye. The ventral scutes form a well-defined rib at the edges of the abdomen.

The range of the copperhead covers almost all of Europe (with the exception of Ireland, most of England, the northern part of the Scandinavian and southern half of the Iberian Peninsula and some islands Mediterranean Sea, including Crete and Cyprus) to Western Kazakhstan, the northern half of Asia Minor, the Caucasus and Northern Iran in the east and southeast.

In the CIS countries it is distributed mainly in the European part, Western Siberia and Western Kazakhstan.

It lives among bushes and forest edges. In the Caucasus it can also be found in the mountains at an altitude of up to 3000 m above sea level. m. on rocky slopes overgrown with grass and shrubs, as well as in alpine meadows. Single finds are associated with mixed and deciduous forests and near-terrace floodplains, and about 70% of the encounters were in pine forest, pure or mixed with linden.

Daytime lifestyle. The copperhead prefers areas that are well lit and warmed by the sun, and at night it hides in old burrows of animals, climbs under stones and dead wood, into rock cracks, voids between tree roots, low-lying hollows, and takes refuge in rotten stumps and other shelters.

Literature: 1. B.N. Orlov, D.B. Gelashvili, A.K. Ibragimov. Poisonous animals and plants of the USSR. Moscow "Higher School" 1990
2. I.P. Sosnovsky. Amphibians and reptiles of the forest, Forestry industry, 1983
3. Ya. I. Garanin, Amphibians and reptiles of the Volga-Kama region, Publishing House "Nauka", 1983
4. Key to amphibians and reptiles of the fauna of the USSR. Moscow, "Enlightenment", 1977

Common copperhead, belonging to the family Colubridae, belongs to the genus of copperheads. The snake inhabiting Europe is listed in the Red Book of Ukraine. It can be found in Asia, the Caucasus, and Northern Iran. The snake inhabits Western Kazakhstan and European part Russia, namely the territory starting from the north and from the east to Lake Onega and to Western Siberia, respectively.

Description of the common copperhead

A strong and powerful individual has an average body size, the length of which reaches 75 cm. The flat head of the common copperhead merges with the neck quite tightly, and the tail has a length that is a fifth of the total body length. The snake's scales are even and smooth. There is a black stripe on the head, the upper part of the body is brown. The middle of the snake's belly is decorated with a gray stripe, and the bottom of the tail has a light tint.

The color of females is distinguished by the presence of an admixture of a reddish tint, while males are completely red in color. A curved black stripe runs through the red nostrils to the eyes of the snake. The body of the copperhead is colored with small dots on the sides, and the belly is red, brown, pink, gray, brick red or black. There is a noticeable presence of a peculiar pattern on it, which consists of spots and small dots.

The reptile's lifestyle is terrestrial.

The copperhead is able to climb trees. If the snake is in danger, it dives into the water or goes around these places, especially if they are wet. The snake can swim well, it is energetic around the clock, and is thermophilic. The copperhead stays awake when a clear moon appears in the sky.
The snake lives permanently on certain place, if it does not pose a danger to her life. If it is necessary to defend itself, the copperhead hides its head, curled up into a tight ball, since from such a position it can suddenly rush at the offender. In some cases, the snake is able to secrete toxic substances from their glands, neutralizing the enemy.

Nutrition and reproduction of the copperhead

In captivity, the snake becomes tame and eats food directly from your hands. The copperhead has an excellent appetite. The adult diet includes small animals and lizards of various species. The copperhead absorbs large volumes of prey, since its stomach can simultaneously accommodate several lizards and a spindle 36 cm long. Cannibalism occurs among this species of snakes. Hunting mouse-like rodents and shrews, she explores their burrows in order to attack the young, and attacks the chicks of the passerine order.

Mating of individuals takes place in the spring and occurs at the end of April-May. The common copperhead is an ovoviviparous species. In July-October, females begin to lay from 2 to 17 eggs, so the active breeding season occurs in autumn. The eggs immediately hatch into young animals, the bodies of the young are about 15 cm long, they become independent and spread out.

This species of snake is not poisonous to humans. Thus, a female is capable of giving birth to 3-15 newborns, which are initially able to eat insects. Individuals become sexually mature at 3 years.

Resettlement and reasons for the destruction of the copperhead

The habitats of the common copperhead are forested areas. The snake lives in coniferous, mixed or deciduous forests. The reptile's daytime sleep takes place in clearings, cannons, clearings or thickets. The snake is rarely found in steppes, undergrowth or meadows; it does not climb mountains to a height of more than 2.5 m, but settles in areas of bushy slopes.

Copperhead shelters are found in burrows of lizards and rodents, in cracks in rocks, and in fallen leaves. Due to the low abundance of the common copperhead in the northern European regions, individuals of the common copperhead are found in very few cases. Ukraine is included in the distribution area of ​​this reptile species.
The snake is found in the Carpathians and the Crimean Mountains, hiding under blocks of stones, in the voids of cliffs, under the roots of trees, under the foundations of buildings, in various burrows belonging to rodents and lizards.

Common copperhead It becomes increasingly difficult to survive, so the snake is found in small numbers. In Europe, the copperhead is protected by law.

The reasons for the disappearance of this reptile species:

• reduction in food supply;
• destruction of the copperhead by humans and animals.

Among the protection measures, one can highlight the conduct of explanatory work with the population.

Video about the common copperhead

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So cute, I didn’t think it was a snake!

And you became too close, believing that beauty,
A snake bites his neighbor, everyone knows about it.
Yu. Vizbor

Every year, for the past 20 years, in July, on the banks of the Volga, Kostroma KSP workers and guests from other cities fill the forest spaces and banks of the Russian river with songs and guitar sounds. How pleasant it is on a warm July night, sitting on the river bank near a fire, listening to the splash of waves and the rustling of leaves. And in the morning, getting up early, go to the forest for blueberries and fragrant strawberries. And every year, while picking mushrooms or berries, we meet, as they say “nose to nose,” with the inhabitants of the forest. I especially want to talk about snakes, especially since they are found quite often in this area and some of them pose a certain danger.

Snakes, vipers and copperheads are found in the forests of our region. Among the KSP workers in the camp, disputes continue to persist as to whether the copperhead is poisonous snake, and what to do if a snake bites.

In this article I will try to provide final clarity on these issues. So…

On the territory of Central Russia there are 3 species of snakes. This is a snake, a viper and a copperhead, and several species of lizards, including legless lizard- a spindle, which is often confused with a snake.

Common already
(Natrix natrix)

Distributed in the European part of Russia, the Caucasus, and the south of Western Siberia. Usually found on the banks of rivers, lakes, ponds, swamps, wet forests, in floodplain meadows covered with shrubs. The common grass snake can often be found in gardens and vegetable gardens. Distinctive feature common grass snakes are two large yellow spots on the sides of the head.

NOT poisonous.

Water snake
Natrix tesselata

The water snake is often found in the vicinity of the common snake. The water snake usually lives near both flowing and non-flowing bodies of water, including on the sea coast and on islands. Often found in the lower reaches of the Volga and at the mouths of other rivers flowing into the Caspian and Black Seas.

NOT poisonous.

Common copperhead
(Coronella austriaca)

There are many legends about the terrible poisonousness of the copperhead, as if a person bitten by it lives only until sunset, that it is necessary to cut off the bitten limb, or at least cut out a significant piece of flesh from it, etc. In fact

copperhead is NOT poisonous ,

or, to be absolutely precise, it is not poisonous to humans. Its poison is dangerous only for lizards, mice, frogs and other small animals. The fact is that it belongs to the posterior grooved snakes from the snake family (sometimes it is even called a smooth snake). Its poisonous teeth are located deep in its mouth, so it cannot bite a person with them. And it has relatively little poison, since the poisonous glands are poorly developed (not large).

A person can only suffer from her if he himself puts his finger down her throat. Not a single reliable case of people being affected by its poison has been recorded. Even the selection of poison from the copperhead is accompanied by great difficulties. A bite with small front, non-poisonous teeth is completely safe.

All the myths about the toxicity of copperheads are obviously related to the fact that among vipers there are sometimes individuals very similar in color to them .

Description

The body length reaches 70 cm, the tail is 4 - 6 times shorter than the body. The smooth dorsal scales are diamond-shaped or hexagonal in shape. The ventral scutes have noticeable keels that form ribs along the edges of the abdomen. The anal shield is divided into two, rarely into three. The intermaxillary shield is strongly wedged between the internasal ones. There are 19 scales around the middle of the body, 150-182 scales along the belly in males and 170-200 in females, and 40-70 pairs of subcaudal scales. In the first vertical row it has two (rarely one) parietal scutes, in the second - 2 - 3. The nostril is located between two nasal scutes, the preorbital one (rarely two), the infraorbital one is absent (sometimes it is replaced by a small scute lying between the second and third upper labial scutes or above the third), postorbital scutes - two.

The copperhead is clearly distinguished from other European snakes by the presence of a dark stripe passing through the eye and transverse stripes or spots on the body. The color of its back varies from gray to yellow-brown and brown-copper-red, with reddish-brown tones predominant in males and brownish in females. On the upper side of the body there are 2 - 4 rows of spots elongated across, sometimes merging into stripes (which can be very weakly expressed and almost invisible). On the back of her head she has two brown spots or stripes that unite with each other. The belly is gray or steel-blue to brownish-red in color, with dark blurry spots and specks or a dark gray stripe in the middle. The iris of these snakes' eyes is usually red. A dark stripe stretches from the nostril through the eye and the corner of the mouth to the neck.

Spreading

It lives throughout almost the entire territory of Europe (except Ireland, most of Great Britain, Northern Scandinavia, the central and southern part of the Iberian Peninsula and the islands of the Mediterranean Sea) to western Kazakhstan and the Caucasus, as well as northern Iran. The main part of the range is occupied by the nominative subspecies, the range of which in the north within Russia reaches Tula and Ryazan region. Single finds are known from the Moscow region. The southern Pyrenees and the island of Sicily are inhabited by the subspecies C. a. fitzingeri (Bonaparte, 1840), differing from the nominative in smaller size and the presence of few dorsal spots.

Lifestyle

Copperheads 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, cracks in rocks, and voids in rotten stumps. Avoids damp places and is very reluctant to go into water.

This snake leads a diurnal lifestyle, but sometimes emerges from its hiding places at dusk and even on clear moonlit nights. For several years it does not change its individual areas.

The active season lasts about 0.5 years. The copperheads leave for the winter in September - October. And 1 - 1.5 months before this, they have from 2 to 15 cubs 12.5 - 17.5 cm long. This is the result of spring copulation (in May), but mating can also occur in the fall. In this case, the female gives birth to cubs the following spring (the sperm remain until spring, stored in the female’s seminal receptacles). In the search for a partner, secretions from the cloacal glands play a special role. During the process of copulation, the male holds the female in the neck area with his jaws, wrapping his body around her body. The eggs are retained in the female's body until the embryos are almost fully developed (ovoviviparity). Cubs are born in thin egg shells, which rupture soon after birth, and young individuals immediately begin an independent life. Sexual maturity occurs in the third year of life.

Copperheads feed predominantly (almost 60%) on lizards (facultative saurophagy), in particular on spindles and sand lizards, less often (up to 5% of occurrence) on other small vertebrates (mice, voles, shrews and chicks of passerines, spadefoot moths). The rest of the prey comes from insects, which may be secondary food (entering the stomach from the digestive tract of swallowed lizards). The copperhead strangles adult lizards by wrapping them in rings of its body so that only the head and tail of the victim protrude from the ball. Having strangled the prey, the snake gradually opens the coils of its body and begins to swallow it, usually from the side of the head. The copperhead is not always able to cope with large and strong lizards and not immediately.
More often, however, the snake wins, which is greatly helped in this by saliva, which is poisonous to lizards and enters the blood of the prey. The copperhead eats small lizards, especially young individuals, alive, unerringly grabbing them by the head. Cases of cannibalism have also been recorded among them.

The copperhead can be attacked by martens, hedgehogs, wild boars, rats and some birds. They even feed on young individuals grass frogs. Protection from enemies is also provided by secretions near the cloacal glands with an unpleasant odor.

A characteristic feature of the copperhead is its ability to gather its body into a dense, tight lump, inside which it hides its head. Often, instead of fleeing, the copperhead takes the described pose and reacts to any touch only by greatly compressing its body. When disturbed, from time to time, with a short hiss, it throws the front third of its body towards danger. A caught snake often bites violently, and especially large specimens can bite through the skin until it bleeds. In many places of these harmless snakes are considered very poisonous and are unfairly persecuted and destroyed.

This species of snake is included in the Red Books of Belarus in the Moscow region. It should be noted that the great rarity of this snake is due to the peculiarities of its biology (primarily its diet - almost exclusively on lizards), as well as the ignorance of people who mistakenly consider it dangerous, and therefore often destroy the copperheads they encounter. To be protected and defended.

Common viper
(Viperidae berus)

Most common poisonous snake! V middle lane Russia. The common viper can be found in forest and forest-steppe zones. More common in mixed forests, in clearings, swamps, overgrown burnt areas, along the banks of rivers, lakes and streams. The viper does not have any special preferences in its habitat; it can be found here and there: in forests and deserts, in mountains, meadows, fields, swamps and even in the steppes. The main thing is that there is enough food and light, and for the rest it does not make any special demands. There are especially many vipers in swampy areas. Here they sometimes live in terrifying numbers. Distributed in the European part of Russia, Siberia and Far East(up to Sakhalin), in the north it occurs 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.

The population density of vipers is very uneven. In suitable places, vipers form large concentrations - snake foci, where their density can reach 90 individuals per 1 hectare, but more often does not exceed 3-8 per 1 hectare. After wintering, they usually appear on the surface of the earth in April - May. In summer, burrows of various animals, voids in rotten stumps and between stones, bushes, and haystacks serve as shelters for vipers. Vipers can live in abandoned buildings.

The common viper is a relatively small snake, up to 75 cm long; in the north there are specimens up to 1 m long. The body is relatively thick. Females are usually larger than males. The head is rounded-triangular, clearly demarcated from the neck, on the upper part there are three large (frontal and two parietal) scutes. The pupil is vertical. The tip of the muzzle is rounded, and the nasal opening is cut in the middle of the nasal shield. On the anterior edge of the upper jaw there are large movable tubular poisonous teeth. The color of the body varies from gray to red-brown, hallmark for all vipers: it is a dark zigzag on the back, from the back of the head to the end of the tail, which is accompanied on each side by a longitudinal row of dark spots.

It can be assumed that the main color of vipers is silver, but this is conditional, since there are light gray, yellow, green and brown individuals. The viper's abdomen is dark gray or even black. The end of the tail is always more light color, often lemon. with a characteristic dark zigzag line along the ridge and an X-shaped pattern on the head. Black forms are found in the north. Sometimes there are vipers that, instead of a zigzag on their back, have stripes stretched across their body. There are black specimens with a bright orange zigzag.

You come across absolutely incredible vipers: one side of their body along the axis of the spine, for example, the left, is blue with spots and half a zigzag, and the right is black without a pattern. Snake catchers call these “burnt” ones. It is difficult to remember a more motley and variously colored animal. Therefore, when you encounter a snake that looks like a copperhead or a legless spindle lizard, you should not be overconfident and tease it or, especially, try to catch it! The color of the viper is very variable: it’s as if nature still hasn’t decided what this creature will look like.

Mating of vipers occurs from mid-May to early June. The viper is ovoviviparous. Offspring are born in August. Young vipers are born 17 cm long and are already poisonous!

In the middle zone, vipers are active in daytime. They love to bask in the sun, and can do this right on the path, on stumps, hummocks and stone slabs. Despite the fact that vipers love light and warmth, it cannot be said that this snake leads a diurnal lifestyle; on the contrary, they are slow during the day and love to bask in sun rays, A with the onset of dusk, vipers become active and crawl out to hunt . Even her eyes are adapted to seeing in the dark: the pupil can expand and contract, which is rare in reptiles. They usually hunt at night . They feed mainly on small rodents, frogs, and insects. When meeting a person, a snake usually tries to hide. When threatened, it takes an active defense: it hisses, makes threatening throws and the most dangerous throws-bites, which are most easily provoked by a moving object. Therefore, it is better not to make sudden movements when directly meeting a viper. . The viper is unable to distinguish dangerous from safe - it rushes at everything. Her irritation is boundless, she will continue her attacks, even if they are completely in vain. Once we observed a picture of a viper struggling with a stone that accidentally rolled down the slope to the place where the viper lay. The snake attacked the stone for several hours. It is not known how this story ended, since the people who watched this spectacle simply got tired of it and left.

The snake is quite clumsy, as it can even attack its own shadow or the shadow of some object. She is always on the alert and equally ready for both defense and attack. You should not pick up a snake by the tail, as there is a possibility of a bite. . When attacking, the viper focuses primarily on lightning speed, rather than accuracy. When attacking, she often misses, but immediately makes the next attempt until she achieves her goal. You have to be careful, as the viper never attacks silently. Even if it is hunting, the snake makes a loud hiss before attacking its prey. This hissing or snorting is made with her mouth closed and is caused by her inhaling and exhaling air more forcefully than usual. When air is exhaled, the sound is strong and low; when air is inhaled, it is weaker and higher.

Most often, encounters with vipers occur during the collection of wild berries, mushrooms, dead wood and during haymaking. To protect yourself from a viper bite, you need to be more attentive and careful. When going to places where you can encounter vipers, you must have appropriate clothing and shoes. Protect against snake bites: Wellingtons; thick wool socks; Tight trousers, not tight to the body, tucked into shoes. When picking mushrooms and berries, it is better to use a stick long enough to rake through the thickets near the place where they grow. If there is a snake in this area, it will either reveal itself or crawl away. It would also be useful to have a stick pointed forward when moving quickly along the path. Vipers have a weak sense of smell and hearing, and the sudden appearance of a person can prevent it from escaping in a timely manner. If you step on a snake, it may bite.

You must be especially careful before entering overgrown holes. You should not spend the night near rotten stumps, trees with hollows, at the entrances to burrows or caves, next to heaps of garbage or dead wood. On warm summer nights, snakes are active and may crawl towards the fire. When traveling at night, it is necessary to light the path with a flashlight. The entrance to the tent should be tightly closed so that the snake cannot crawl inside. If the tent has not been tightly closed or if you are camping without a tent, inspect the bed and especially the sleeping bag before using it. Remember that mice attract snakes.

Viper bite

At the site of the viper bite, two punctate wounds from the snake’s poisonous teeth are visible. The bite causes severe increasing pain. Already in the first minutes, hyperemia of the bitten part of the body occurs (excessive filling of blood vessels). Swelling spreads upward from the bite site. When poison enters the bloodstream, a general reaction can develop immediately or half an hour or an hour after the bite. Most often this happens after 15-20 minutes (data from various literary sources). Dizziness, lethargy, headache, nausea, sometimes vomiting, shortness of breath, and rapid pulse appear. Mechanism of venom of the common viper toxic effect is a poison with predominantly hemorrhagic (causing hemorrhage), blood clotting and local edematous-necrotic action. The closer the bite is to the head, the more dangerous it is. In spring, viper venom is more toxic than in summer.

First aid measures for a common viper bite

Most literature on first aid measures for a snake bite suggests immediately starting to suck out the venom from the wounds with your mouth. Required condition in this case, there is complete integrity of the mucous membranes of the oral cavity. First, the wounds should be opened by squeezing the folds of skin in the area of ​​the bite until droplets of blood appear from the wounds. The contents of the wounds (bloody fluid) must be spat out. Continue suctioning for 10-15 minutes (at the first sign of swelling, suction should be stopped). After stopping suction, it is better to rinse your mouth with a solution of potassium permanganate or water. Suction can be performed by the victim himself or by other persons. The literature states that this procedure is safe, since the amount of poison that can enter the body of the person providing assistance during suction is very small. Immediate suctioning can remove 30-50% of the venom injected by the snake. The bite site must be treated with antiseptics. The skin around the wound can be treated with alcohol, brilliant green, iodine or vodka. Apply a tight sterile bandage to the bite site. It is very important that the affected limb remains motionless. Movement accelerates the flow of poison into the general blood circulation. To fix the affected limb, a splint from available materials or a fixing (scarf) bandage should be applied to it. The victim should drink as much as possible. Will help you remove allergic reaction per bite, take 1-2 tablets of antihistamines, for example: suprastin, diphenhydramine or tavegil. You can drip 5-6 drops of galazolin or sanorin into the nose and bite wound.

For bites from common vipers Do not apply a tourniquet to the affected limb , which is commonly used for cobra bites. The venoms of these snakes have different mechanisms of toxic action. Specific antivenom serums, for example, “anti-viper” for bites of common vipers, are used only when helping children under 3-4 years of age and in rare cases of severe poisoning.

Far away from settlements the victim should not try to get to a medical facility on his own (walk or run) if it is not possible to organize his emergency transportation. When providing first aid and during transportation, the victim should be in a prone position. I will quote from the section “Snake bites. Urgent Care" from the reference book "Emergencies and emergencies health care"edited by Academician E.I. Chazov: "Applying a tourniquet to the affected limb is, as a rule, contraindicated, as it aggravates the severity of intoxication... And only with cobra bites, the venom of which does not cause local disturbances in tissue trophism and quickly spreads throughout blood vessels, it is permissible to slow down general intoxication by applying a tourniquet above the bite site for 30-40 minutes.”

First aid plan for a victim of a viper bite:

1. When providing first aid and during transportation, the victim must be in a lying position. Maximally immobilized.

2. Immediately begin to suck out the poison from the wounds with your mouth. A prerequisite for this is the complete integrity of the mucous membranes of the oral cavity. Continue suctioning for 10-15 minutes (at the first sign of swelling, suction should be stopped).

3. You can drip 5-6 drops of a vasoconstrictor drug (Galazolin or Sanorin) into the nose and bite wound.

4. The bite site must be treated with antiseptics. The skin around the wound can be treated with alcohol, brilliant green, iodine or vodka.

5. Apply a tight sterile bandage to the bite site Do not apply a tourniquet to the affected limb!

6. Secure the affected limb by applying a splint from available materials or a fixing (scarf) bandage.

7. Taking 1-2 tablets of antihistamines, for example: suprastin, diphenhydramine or tavegil, will help relieve an allergic reaction to a bite.

8. Take the victim to the hospital as quickly as possible.

CAREFULLY!!!
AVIDER IS POISONOUS!!!

“A snake changes its skin, but does not change its nature”(Last)

(Anguis fragilis)

The spindle (sometimes mistakenly called the copperhead or copperhead, confused with the copperhead snake), has a long, spindle-shaped body. Young spindles are a very beautiful silvery-white or light cream color on top with two closely spaced thin dark lines running along the ridge, starting from a more or less triangular spot located on the back of the head. The sides of the body and belly are black-brown or almost black, and the border between the light dorsal and dark lateral color of the body is very sharply expressed. As the animal grows, the upper side of the body gradually darkens and acquires brown, brownish or bronze tones, while the sides become noticeably lighter, but usually remain darker than the back. In adult males, on the back there are more or less densely located blue or blue spots This lizard reaches a length of 60 cm, more than half of which is accounted for by a very brittle tail, slightly pointed at the end.
Unlike snakes, spindles have movable eyelids, as well as auditory openings.

The spindle is widespread in Europe, where in some places it reaches almost the Arctic Circle, in the North - West Africa, Asia Minor, the Caucasus and Northern Iran. Within the European part former USSR she is only missing on Far North, V steppe zone and Crimea; in the east it penetrates into Western Siberia. Lives in deciduous and mixed forests, also found in bushes, meadows, fields and gardens, but usually not far from the forest. In the Caucasus, the spindle rises quite high into the mountains, penetrating in places into areas of subalpine meadows at the upper forest edges. It hides in rotten stumps, under fallen tree trunks, in piles of dead wood, in the thickness of the forest floor, under stones and in anthills.

Often the spindle makes a hole for itself, digging its head into the forest floor or loose soil. Its movements on level ground are very slow, however, making its way among vegetation or between stones, it moves quite quickly, wriggling its whole body like a snake. In the spring, the first time after wintering, spindles bask in the sun for a long time and are not uncommon in the places where they live. However, already from mid-June, and in the south much earlier, these lizards switch to a twilight and nocturnal lifestyle and leave their shelters very rarely during the day, usually in cloudy but warm weather or after heavy night rain. Spindles feed on earthworms, terrestrial mollusks, insect larvae, centipedes and other slowly moving animals, since they are not able to keep up with more mobile prey. Having noticed the prey, the spindle slowly approaches it, first feels with its tongue, then opens its mouth wide and slowly grabs it. Sharp, bent back teeth reliably hold slippery wriggling worms and naked slugs in the mouth, which the lizard slowly swallows, alternately tilting its head in one direction or the other. If the captured worm clings tightly to the soil in an earthen burrow with the rear end of its body, the spindle, stretching out in length, begins to quickly rotate in one direction, thus tearing off part of the prey. They do the same when together they grab one long worm or slug and, rotating in different directions, quickly twist the prey in half. Eating snails, the spindle gradually rests its head more and more against the mouth of the shell and little by little pulls the mollusk out of its shelter.

2.5-3 months later, after mating in the spring, the female gives birth to from 5 to 26 cubs, born in a transparent facial shell, which they immediately tear and crawl to the sides. The length of young lizards immediately after birth usually does not exceed 100 mm including the tail. The spindles overwinter in rodent burrows, in the depths of rotten stumps, sometimes gathering 20-30 or more individuals together. Due to its slowness and complete defenselessness, this lizard often becomes a victim of various enemies, from which it is helped only by a long and extremely brittle tail, which remains in the teeth or claws of the predator.

In many places, the spindle is considered poisonous and, mistaking it for a snake, is mercilessly exterminated.

In reality the spindle is completely harmless and only brings benefits to humans, destroying a variety of various pests. Like the yellow-bellied lizard, this lizard tolerates captivity very well and quickly gets used to humans. There are cases when she survived in captivity for 20-30 and even 50 years.

In conclusion, I would like to wish:
"Protect the environment!" And "Be healthy!"

Veterinarian Yogina T.Yu.
Based on materials from the Internet

SONG OF THE UNDERWELL SNAKE
Alexey Smirnov

How I would like to sing somewhere on a branch,
Or fly like a bird at the evening dawn,
But we have to hiss, like our ancestors hissed,
And you have to bite while taking a stance.

Chorus:
I'm outside, because I'm just cold,
Because I live under a log.
They call me "underwater"
At least, according to the certificate, I have the breed.
Even though I have a breed...

I bite, and then my conscience torments me for a long time!
I drown the pain with wine for this occasion.
It would be easier for three to drink marsh vodka,
Yes, all my girlfriends are snakes!

So, I live on a meadow - I don’t live, but I suffer...
In the spring I go to my friend, and then I multiply!..
I would like to fly like a bird, but I’m lying, lying on a pebble.
Oh, I wish I could send this life to the snake grandmother!