How animals were domesticated in ancient times. History of primitive times. How can domestication happen now

03.11.2019

Representing an independent family. They inhabit almost the entire Earth, except for Antarctica, Madagascar, Hawaii, New Zealand and Australia. Therefore, it will be important for readers to know when and where a person may be threatened by a viper bite. We will also discuss the consequences of contact with a poisonous amphibian and the rules for first aid, because such information can be a good help for those going to nature.

A little about the nature of vipers

Contrary to popular belief, vipers are not aggressive and do not dream of attacking a person at all. On the contrary, when meeting with him, the first thing the viper will try to do is crawl away as far as possible.

But the habit of the mentioned reptiles to hide in hollows, grass or under hummocks, waiting for prey, often leads to the fact that careless people who find themselves in the forest disturb or frighten the snake, forcing it to defend itself. And so the number of those bitten is growing, and, by the way, according to statistics, in 70% of cases the victim himself is the culprit.

The consequences for a person can be different, while it is recorded quite rarely. Poisoning often has a mild form - the disease manifests itself in the form of a small painful swelling at the site of the bite, which after some time passes by itself. But, unfortunately, from time to time there are also serious problems caused by poisoning. It all depends on where, whom and when the viper bit. We will tell you more about this.

What does a viper look like

Lives in forests. It grows up to 75 cm, has a gray-blue or black color. And its closest relative, living in flat areas, on dry slopes overgrown with shrubs, or in clay ravines, the steppe viper, is lighter, brownish-gray with a contrasting zigzag stripe on the back. Another representative of this family, by the way, listed in the Red Book - Nikolsky's viper - is absolutely black. It is already referred to the forest-steppe snakes.

As you can see, each natural area has its own poisonous inhabitant. And, by the way, all of them are not particularly noble and do not warn the traveler of their presence, unlike, for example, the beautiful and very dangerous African noisy viper. A bite, the consequences of which are not difficult to predict, can only be obtained from it after a loud hiss and a formidable swelling of the body. And our "compatriots", frightened and deciding that there is a danger nearby, attack immediately, without unnecessary sounds.

Where can you meet a viper

When going to nature in early spring or autumn, remember that at this time of the year, vipers stay closer to their wintering grounds. As a rule, this is:

swamp edges,
glades,
forest edges,
garden plots with construction debris,
dumps of land management works.

In summer, snakes can be anywhere, however, during the day they love places where you can bask in the sun (vipers are very thermophilic): the surface of stones, the southern slope of a ravine or the sunny edge. By the way, for the same reason, they can crawl up to your fire at night.

And in order not to have to consider the consequences of a viper bite later, a tourist should immediately take care of safety: put on high boots with thick soles on the road, tuck the legs of jeans into them (the fabric of these trousers is quite dense, so it is advisable to go on a trip in such outfit), arm yourself with a stick and it, and not with your hands, move apart heaps of leaves and dry branches, rummage through minks, hollows, or throw stones out of the way. At night, be sure to shine a flashlight under your feet. And waking up in the morning at a halt, carefully check all the bags and shoes that were left outside the tent.

The effects of a viper bite depend on the composition of its venom.

What is dangerous The fact is that it is mostly hemo- and cytotoxic. That is, as a result of its action, a deep structural and functional change occurs in blood cells or tissues, which causes their death. This effect is due to the huge amount of so-called necrotizing enzymes that is part of the poison.

But there are no neurotoxins in viper venom, due to which its effect on the nervous system is not observed. Yes, and the viper produces venom in much smaller quantities than its counterparts - asps or pit snakes. True, for a person who has suffered a viper bite, the consequences can still be quite sad, especially if he already had problems with the cardiovascular system before, or if he was given first aid incorrectly.

What is the danger of a viper bite

Despite the fact that viper bites are recorded quite often, death does not always occur - the probability is less than 1% (by the way, among those who were stung by bees, wasps or hornets, there are much more deaths). However, this is not pleasant.

But what the consequences of a bite will be depends on certain factors:

Viper size. It has been established that the larger the snake, the more poisonous glands it has, and, naturally, the poison is released in large volumes.
The weight and height of the victim. The larger the creature bitten by the snake, the less impact the poison will have. So, the consequences of a viper bite for a dog or a child will be much more serious than for an adult. The secret lies in the fact that it is absorbed faster and more completely into the body of the victim with a small volume and mass.
Place of bite. It is believed that bites to the neck, shoulder and chest are more dangerous than to the leg of a person or the paw of an animal.
The state of health of the victim. In the presence of a heart disease, there is a danger of developing shock, which can be triggered by panic and a rapid heartbeat, which quickly spreads the poison throughout the body.

Why some viper bites are "dry"

The decisive role in the severity of the consequences of the bite of a common viper is played by the amount of poison it secretes. And this directly depends on the hunting habits of the amphibian. The viper hunts only for live medium-sized prey: mice, lizards, sometimes moles. She does this swiftly, from an ambush, after which she expects the action of the poison. By the way, it should be noted that the snake spends it carefully, trying, if possible, to keep something in reserve, therefore, in some cases, its bite for a person turns out to be completely harmless (in medicine it is called “dry”).

But, since it is immediately difficult to determine the amount of poison that has entered the wound, the victim should in any case be provided with emergency care.

What does a viper bite look like?

It is important to know that the most toxic viper venom occurs in the spring, which means that at this time of the year you should be especially careful when going camping. In addition, it does not hurt to know the main consequences of a viper bite.

The bite site hurts a lot.
The affected limb quickly swells and becomes purple-bluish with dark spots.
Chills, nausea, dizziness may appear.
In some cases, there is an increase in temperature.
Arterial pressure decreases.
In case of untimely assistance, a bite develops in the bite area.

In severe cases, the consequences of a viper bite can be expressed by a short period of agitation of the patient, which is quickly replaced by drowsiness and apathy. The victim complains of dryness and a bitter taste in the mouth, the pulse noticeably quickens, weakness, shortness of breath, and dizziness appear. In especially severe cases, collapse may develop. The functions of the kidneys and liver are disturbed, and moist rales caused by congestion are heard in the lungs.

What to do when bitten by a viper

Lay the victim so that the head is below the level of the body - this will reduce the likelihood of cerebrovascular accident. Remove all jewelry from the limb (it can swell a lot).

Press on the bite from the sides, thus opening the wound, and within 15 minutes suck the poison with your mouth, spitting it out (this is not dangerous for the caregiver). Disinfect the wound with alcohol or iodine.

Immobilize the affected limb with a splint or bandage. Give the patient (but not coffee). Get him to the hospital as soon as possible.

What absolutely cannot be done

The consequences after the bite of a viper at all times frightened people so much that in order to get rid of troubles they came up with many completely useless procedures that not only are not able to alleviate the patient's condition, but can even harm. So remember what not to do when bitten by a snake.

In no case do not apply a tourniquet! This is useless, and besides, poison is already destructive to the tissues of the body, and if you add a tourniquet that interferes with blood circulation, you can achieve their necrosis within a few minutes. And after removing the tourniquet, the decay products formed as a result of this will aggravate the already existing poisoning.
Do not cauterize the bite! You will add a burn to an existing wound, and it is absolutely meaningless.
Do not cut the wound - it is useless, but the infection does not sleep.
Do not give the patient alcohol - this will help the poison spread throughout the body even faster.
Do not cover the wound with earth, do not apply cobwebs or grass to it - except for tetanus, you will not get anything from such procedures.

Not to mention American rattlesnakes, which have an instant reaction and deadly poison, an unsuccessful encounter with which has a very high chance of becoming the last. But, nevertheless, among the reptiles living in our latitudes, it is the viper that is the most dangerous. Speaking of the name of this snake, the word "viper" is rooted in ancient times and comes literally from the word "reptile", meaning disgusting animals, which is the heroine of our today's article.

Viper: description, structure, characteristics. What does a viper look like?

Many vipers are distinguished by a short and thickened body. The maximum length of the viper reaches 3-4 meters, while small snakes can be 30 cm long. The weight of an adult large viper is approximately 15-17 kg.

All types of vipers also have a flattened round-triangular skull shape with noticeable temporal protrusions. At the tip of the muzzle of some species of this snake there are single or paired formations - the so-called modified scales.

The eyes of the viper are small, have vertical pupils that can narrow and expand, filling the entire eye. Thanks to this, vipers can see at night, just as well as during the day, in general, the vision of these snakes is well developed.

The color of the viper can take on a variety of colors, depending on its type. Also on her body can be a variety of plain patterns. But in any case, the colors of the viper depend on the place of its stay and are arranged in such a way as to merge as much as possible with the surrounding space.

All vipers, however, like other poisonous snakes, have a pair of well-developed fangs, which are also devices for excreting poison. The latter is formed in the poisonous glands that are located behind the upper jaw of the snake. Viper teeth can be up to 4 cm long. When the mouth is closed, they are folded and covered with a special film cloth.

During an attack or defense, the snake's mouth opens at an angle of 180 degrees, the jaw rotates, and the fangs are pulled forward. When the jaws of the viper close, there is a sharp contraction of the strong muscles surrounding the poisonous glands, as a result of which the poison is released, which is more like a blow than a bite.

What do vipers eat in nature

The viper is a notorious predator, besides leading a nocturnal lifestyle. These snakes prefer to attack their prey from an ambush, biting it with their poisonous fangs with a swift throw, the victim dies from the poison within a few minutes, then the viper starts its meal, usually swallowing the prey whole.

The main menu of the viper is a variety of small rodents, marsh frogs, and some birds. Small vipers feed on large beetles, locusts, and can catch caterpillars.

Natural enemies of vipers

Vipers also have their enemies, who, despite the presence of poisonous fangs, are not averse to feasting on this snake. Among them, ferrets, badgers, wild (surprisingly, viper poison does not affect wild boars from the word at all), as well as a number of birds of prey: owls, herons, storks and eagles. And the enemies of vipers can also be attributed, which, although they do not feast on them, often enter into fights with these reptiles, from which they usually come out victorious.

How long does a viper live

Typically, the average life expectancy of a viper in nature is 15 years, but some specimens can live up to 30 years.

Where does the viper live

In fact, vipers live not only in our latitudes but also over a much wider geographic range, they can be found in almost any climatic conditions and landscapes: Europe, Asia, Africa, both Americas, Australia and New Zealand.

Lifestyle of vipers

Typically, these snakes lead a sedentary lifestyle, only occasionally making forced migrations to wintering grounds. Vipers spend most of their time basking in the sun or hiding under rocks.

Where and how vipers hibernate

Vipers begin to worry about wintering from October-November. For "winter apartments", burrows are sought that go up to 2 m into the ground, so that a positive temperature is maintained inside. If there are a lot of vipers in this area, then many individuals can winter in one such hole. In March-April, when the spring sun begins to warm, vipers crawl out of their winter shelters and start breeding.

Viper venom - bite consequences and symptoms

The viper's venom is not as potent as, for example, that of a cobra or a rattlesnake, but in some cases it can be fatal to humans. Therefore, it will not be superfluous to remind once again that it is worth staying away from the viper, however, as well as from all poisonous snakes in general.

On the other hand, viper venom has found its use for medical purposes, a number of medicines are made from it, and it is also used in the production of cosmetics. According to its chemical structure, viper venom consists of proteins, lipids, peptides, amino acids and salt and sugar of inorganic origin. Preparations from it help as an analgesic for neuralgia, rheumatism, hypertension, and skin diseases.

When bitten, viper venom enters the human body through the lymph nodes and from there it instantly appears in the blood. Viper bite symptoms: burning pain, there will be redness and swelling around the bite site, as the consequences of intoxication will be dizziness, nausea, chills, heart palpitations. Needless to say, if bitten by a viper, seek professional medical attention immediately.

Viper bite - first aid

What to do if bitten by a viper, while bitten away from civilization (and this happens most often), somewhere in the mountains-forests:

First of all, it is necessary to provide peace to the bitten place by fixing it with a semblance of a splint, or by tying a bent arm with a handkerchief. After a bite, it is very undesirable to actively move in order to avoid the rapid spread of poison throughout the body.
By pressing your finger at the bite site, you need to try to open the wound and suck out the poison. You can do this with your mouth, then spitting out saliva, but only if there are no damages in your mouth: cracks, scratches, otherwise the poison can get into the blood through your mouth. It is necessary to suck out the poison continuously for 15-20 minutes.
After that, the bite site must be disinfected with any improvised means, maybe vodka, cologne, iodine, and put a clean and slightly pressure bandage on it.
It is advisable to use as much liquid as possible, water, weak tea, but in no case coffee, and even more so nothing alcoholic.
As soon as possible, it is imperative to seek qualified medical help from a doctor.

How is it different from a viper

Very often, vipers are confused with other snakes, for example, with a completely harmless one, which is not surprising, because both snakes are very similar, they have a similar color, they live in the same places. And yet there are a number of differences between them, which we will write further:

Despite the similar color, the appearance of these snakes has one significant difference - the snake has two yellow or orange spots on its head, while the viper does not have them.
There is also a difference in the spots of the scales, in snakes the spots go in a checkerboard pattern, in vipers there is a zigzag stripe on the back that runs along the entire body.
The eyes of a snake and a viper are different, in a viper the pupil is vertical, in snakes it is round.
Perhaps the most important difference is the presence of poisonous fangs in the viper, which the snake simply does not have.
Usually longer than a viper, although a large viper may be caught, which will be longer than a small snake.
The snake's tail is longer and thinner, while the viper's tail is shorter and thicker.

Types of vipers, photos and names

In nature, zoologists have counted more than 250 species of vipers, but we will focus on the most interesting of them.

The most common of the vipers, living in a wide geographical area, including on the territory of our country, so when hiking in the mountains of the Carpathians or simply gathering in the forest, you should carefully look under your feet so as not to accidentally step on this snake. The common viper usually has 60-70 cm in length and weighs from 50 to 180 grams. The females are usually larger than the males. The color of common vipers can be different: black, light gray, yellow-brown, depending on its place of residence.

A characteristic difference of this viper is the presence of a scaly outgrowth at the tip of the muzzle, very similar to the nose. The length of this viper is 60-70 cm, the body color is gray, sand, or red-brown. This type of viper lives in the south of Europe and in Asia Minor: in Italy, Greece, Turkey, Syria, Georgia.

steppe viper

It lives in the steppes of southern and southeastern Europe, and is also found on the territory of our Ukraine. The length of this snake is 64 cm, the color is gray-brown, a zigzag stripe runs along the back of the steppe viper.

A characteristic feature of this type of viper is the small horns located above the eyes of the snake. It has a length of 60-80 cm, its body is creamy-green in color, dotted with small dark brown spots. The horned keffiyeh lives in Southeast Asia, in particular in China, India, and Indonesia.

She is also a Burmese fairy viper, she received her middle name thanks to the zoologist Leonard Feah, who studied her. It lives in Asia, in China, Tibet, Burma, Vietnam. The length of this viper is 80 cm. It has large shields on its head, the body is gray-brown in color with yellow stripes, while the head is completely yellow.

This is perhaps the most dangerous viper in the world, its bite in 4 out of 5 cases leads to a fatal case. But fortunately, the noisy viper does not live in our area, it lives exclusively in Africa and in the south of the Arabian Peninsula. It has a golden yellow or dark beige color, a U-shaped pattern runs along the body.

This type of viper has a special decoration on the muzzle in the form of vertically protruding scales. The thick body of this snake can reach up to 1.2 m in length, moreover, it is covered with very beautiful patterns. It lives in the humid forests of equatorial Africa.

Labaria or kaisaya

One of the largest vipers, its length can reach up to 2.5 m. It has a lemon yellow color, which is why it is also called the “yellow beard”. This viper lives in South America.

She is the Levant viper, also one of the most dangerous vipers, her poison in its toxicity is second only to that of the cobra. It is also a very large snake, its body length can reach up to 2 m and weigh up to 3 kg. The body color is usually grey-brown. Gyurza lives in Asia and North Africa.

This is the smallest viper in the world, and due to its size, it is relatively harmless, although, of course, its bite can cause unpleasant consequences. The length of the pygmy viper does not exceed 25 cm. It lives in central Africa.

Bushmaster or surukuku

But this is the opposite, the largest viper in the world, its body length can be up to 4 m and weigh up to 5 kg. It lives in the tropical rainforests of Central America.

How vipers breed

The reproduction of vipers usually begins in March-May, with the onset of spring heat, these snakes begin the mating season. Viper eggs are formed in the womb of the female, and small snakes hatch there, which are born either in late summer or early autumn. One medium-sized viper usually has 8-12 cubs.

The process of the birth of new reptiles takes place in an interesting way: a pregnant female wraps her tail around a tree trunk, while keeping her tail in the air and simply scatters her cubs on the ground, by the way, already fully formed and ready for independent life. The length of newborn snakes is 10-12 cm, they immediately molt, and then they molt 1-2 times a month.

In some nations, vipers are even revered as sacred, such as the temple keffis on the island of Penang. They are specially brought to the snake temple, hung on trees. Locals consider vipers to be the keepers of the hearth.
Dried meat of the cottonmouth viper is in demand among Chinese and Japanese gourmets. It is also used in folk healing.

Viper, video

And in conclusion, an interesting documentary from the Net Geo Wild channel about vipers.

Many of us like to spend our free time actively: arrange trips to the forest with an overnight stay, go to conquer mountains, swim in reservoirs. Active recreation gives not only unforgettable emotions and a meeting with beautiful landscapes, danger can await a person - vipers, which are also part of nature. Are you ready to meet them?

General information about the viper

The viper family includes 58 species. Snakes live in Europe, Asia and Africa. All members of the viper family are poisonous and dangerous to humans. They mostly lead a terrestrial lifestyle. The exceptions are:

The following types of vipers are most numerous:

steppe viper. On top of the snake is brown-gray, a dark stripe runs along the body. Lives in the steppes. The snake is small, fangs are short, it injects a small amount of poison into the victim. Deaths after the bite of this viper have not been recorded. It lives in the steppes of Western Europe, in the forest-steppe regions of southern Russia, in the Caucasus, is found in the Crimea;
Caucasian viper. A distinctive feature is the bright color. The color varies from yellowish orange to brick red. The snake is not large, rarely grows up to 60 cm in length. Only isolated deaths from its bite are known. Distributed in the regions of the Western Caucasus and Transcaucasia, found in Eastern Turkey. In the northern direction, it lives on the territory of the Krasnodar Territory;
nosy viper. It got its name due to the presence of a soft spike at the tip of the muzzle, resembling a nose in shape. It lives in the north-east of Italy, in the countries of the Balkan Peninsula, in the territory of Yugoslavia, Romania, in the regions of Asia Minor, in the mountains of Armenia and Georgia;
noisy viper. The snake is large, with a thick body, reaches a length of 1.5 meters. Emits a very loud hiss when near an enemy. The chance of death from a bite is 15–20%. Distributed throughout Africa;
Gaboon viper. It has a thick body, grows up to 2 meters in length. The coloration of the snake is colorful and spectacular. Various colors form a clear geometric pattern on the surface of the snake. The snake is very calm, rarely attacks people. However, the bite of this viper almost always ends in the death of the victim: the snake has long fangs, which leads to the rapid penetration of poison into the body. Lives in Liberia, South Sudan, Angola;
common viper. It is gray and brown in color, a dark stripe is visible along the body. Fatal cases after being bitten by this snake are rare. Distributed throughout Eurasia.

Photo gallery: representatives of the viper family

The common viper has an unpretentious coloration Various colors form a geometric pattern on the back of the Gaboon viper The Caucasian viper has a bright color The snake has a powerful and thick body The steppe viper is a small snake A soft spike on the tip of the viper's muzzle looks like a nose

The common viper is often mistaken for a snake by people. External signs of a snake that distinguish it from a viper:

there is no dark stripe along the ridge;
the color is uniform;
below the head is a yellow collar.

A distinctive feature of the snake is a bright yellow collar.

Unlike the viper, it is not venomous.

The common viper can be found in many places:

on forest edges;
in the forest and spruce forest;
in mixed forest with abundant grass cover;
in the forest-steppe zone;
on the banks of rivers and lakes;
in the meadows;
in rural gardens.

In summer, snakes build their nests in abandoned burrows of other animals, among large stones, under haystacks, in rotten stumps. They can be forced to leave their homes either by human intervention or lack of food. Snakes hunt at night: they catch small rodents and birds. During the day they sleep in a nest or crawl out to bask in the sun, lying on paths, stumps, stones. In winter, they hibernate, which ends at the end of April.

Why does a snake bite a person

The snake has no reason to attack. The viper is not aggressive and, having met a person, crawls away. A snake bites if it feels threatened - this happens when a person accidentally steps on it or invades its habitat. Vipers live in groups, choosing places suitable for wintering. In such areas, the number of snakes can exceed 90 individuals per 1 hectare. Getting into places of accumulation of vipers, a person is exposed to increased danger.

Vipers hibernate in groups

Feeling threatened, at first the viper hisses, rises above the ground, frightens the person with threatening throws. If a person makes sudden movements, the snake attacks.

Before the attack, the viper scares the victim

In the mouth of the viper are large fangs. The poisonous gland is located above the upper jaw and is connected with it by an arcuate duct. This form of the duct makes it possible to rotate the jaw, while the poison enters the fangs without obstruction. When bitten, the temporal muscles located near the poisonous glands actively contract, the poison enters the person subcutaneously, intramuscularly or through the channel of the vessel. Upon penetration into the vessel, it spreads throughout the body instantly. The amount of poison is small, the snake consumes it sparingly: it will take a long time to create a new portion.

In the mouth of the viper are two poisonous fangs, which the snake plunges into the victim.

Viper venom belongs to the group of hemovazotoxic poisons that can damage small vessels, destroy red blood cells and worsen blood clotting. The snake bite is most dangerous in the spring: the venom contains more toxins than at other times. According to statistics, 1% of affected people die from viper bites, most often small children.

Vipers are excellent swimmers, so you can meet them in the water.

Vipers are excellent swimmers and can travel long distances in the water.

A snake bite in the water is rare. Vipers settle at a decent distance from the water and find themselves in it, crossing to the other side. The maneuverability of the viper in the water is higher than that of a person, the snake, when threatened, will try to swim away quickly.

Viper bite symptoms

The severity of symptoms with a viper bite depends on factors:

body weight of the victim. The less a person weighs, the brighter the symptoms after a bite. Therefore, small children endure it more difficult than adults;
localization of the wound from the teeth of the snake. Bites to a blood vessel, the surface of the head and neck pose a particular threat;
air temperature. At high temperatures, intoxication of the body occurs more actively;
amount of poison. A viper bite can also occur without injecting poison if the viper has recently bit into a person or animal with its teeth and a new portion of the poison has not yet been developed.

Local symptoms:

Common signs of a snake bite:

weakness in the whole body;
dizziness;
headache;
tachycardia;
nausea;
vomit.

If a child is bitten or the viper's venom enters the vessel, the symptoms appear rapidly and are severe:

impaired motor function of the bitten limb;
paralysis extends to the entire body, affects the muscles of the face;
breathing becomes short and heavy;
swallowing function decreases;
the work of the heart is disturbed;
there is uncontrolled urination.

First aid

Actions for a viper bite:

Go to the hospital immediately or call an ambulance.
Try to suck out the poison. This action gives a result within 10-15 minutes after the snake bite, before swelling appears. The latter indicates that the poison has spread to the surrounding tissues and the procedure is pointless to continue. The skin around the wound is collected in a fold and squeezed so that drops of blood appear. The suctioned fluid is immediately spit out. The person sucking the poison must rinse his mouth with a disinfectant solution after the procedure. If there is no antiseptic, water is used to rinse.
Treat the bite site with hydrogen peroxide, chlorhexidine, or another antiseptic.
Immobilize the bitten part of the body: during activity, the spread of poison throughout the body is accelerated. If the bite is made to the hand, the limb is fixed in a bent position. If the bite is made in the leg, then it is tied to the second lower limb, and the victim is laid so that the legs are above the level of the pelvis. This posture improves circulation.
Apply a loose bandage to the wound. Use a bandage or a clean cloth.
To reduce swelling to the wound, periodically apply cold, the best option is ice. Every 5-7 minutes, the cold is removed from the bite site to avoid frostbite of the limb.
The victim needs to drink a lot: about 3 liters of liquid. Use water, juices, soda.
If possible, take an antihistamine: Zirtek, Suprastin, Tavegil, Fenkarol.

Before receiving medical assistance, it is prohibited:

use alcohol to treat a wound;
apply a tourniquet (tight bandage) to the surface of the bite. This will provoke necrosis of the limb;
cut the wound yourself to release the poison from there. High chance of getting an infection
apply earth, grass to the wound. There is a risk of contracting tetanus;
the victim to drink alcohol, which increases the intoxication of the body and reduces the effect of anti-snake serum.

Video: how to behave when bitten by a viper

Medical care in the hospital

In the hospital, the treatment of a viper bite occurs according to a certain scheme:

Serum is injected.
Infusion administration of solutions of glucose, Ringer, sodium chloride is used to eliminate toxins from the body.
Diuretics are prescribed (Furosemide, Trifas).
The victim is given an oral or intramuscular injection of an antihistamine if this is not done before arriving at the hospital.
A tetanus vaccine is given, regardless of whether the person was vaccinated as planned or not.
Glucocorticoid agents (Dexamethasone, Prednisol) are prescribed, which have anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects.
To avoid a purulent process in the body, broad-spectrum antibiotics (Cefotaxime, Cefepime) are used.
For preventive purposes, in order to prevent liver and kidney failure, hepatoprotectors (Berlition, Gepadif) are prescribed.
With severe intoxication of the body, hemodialysis is performed.
With symptoms of heart failure, Cordiamin, Caffeine are used.
With heavy bleeding resort to blood transfusion.
If the victim has convulsions, calcium gluconate is administered intravenously.

When bitten by a viper, Serum against the venom of the common viper is applied. It must be administered within a few hours of a snakebite. The serum contains antibodies that can neutralize snake venom. The basis of the antidote is horse serum. It is important to pay attention to some points:

serum is used only when bitten by a viper, if a person has suffered from other snakes, the antidote will not work. It is also forbidden to administer serum intended to neutralize the venom of other snake species when bitten by a viper. Previously, Antigyrza serum was used in hospitals, but its action was not always effective and it caused many side effects;
the doctor must administer the serum. Improper use of antivenom can harm the victim. There is a possibility of anaphylactic shock due to an allergic reaction to a foreign protein;
serum is injected subcutaneously at a dosage of 0.1 ml. In the absence of an allergic reaction at the injection site, another 0.25 ml of antidote is administered after 20 minutes. Then, after 15 minutes, apply the rest of the antidote. The required volume of injected serum is selected by the doctor based on the severity of the symptoms;
if poison intoxication is severe, the antidote is administered intravenously using a dropper.

Diagnosis with a viper bite

The hospital conducts a thorough diagnosis of the patient's condition. The necessary studies are assigned:

general blood analysis. Allows you to evaluate the number of leukocytes, platelets, erythrocytes, hemoglobin level;
blood chemistry. Helps to monitor the functioning of internal organs. The toxic effects of the poison can affect the functioning of the kidneys and liver. Hepatic parameters are evaluated: bilirubin, ALT (alanine aminotransferase), AST (aspartate aminotransferase), alkaline phosphatase, albumin; renal indicators: uric acid, creatinine, urea;
Coagulogram - an analysis that helps to assess blood clotting. The prothrombin index (PTI), fibrinogen, prothrombized time and other indicators are determined;
general urine analysis. Helps to track changes in the functioning of the urinary system;
electrocardiogram. With the help of this study, deviations in the work of the heart are monitored;
chest radiograph. It is done when pulmonary edema is suspected.

Treatment prognosis and possible complications

If an adult is bitten by a viper, but first aid is provided correctly, the victim is quickly taken to the hospital, the prognosis is mostly favorable.

When bitten by small children, the consequences are more severe, and a fatal outcome also occurs. Before arriving at the hospital, severe intoxication of the body can occur, which leads to liver or kidney failure. Therefore, it is important to get the child to the hospital as soon as possible.

A pregnant woman has a high risk of intoxication not only in her own body, but also in the body of the fetus. After a snake attack, you should undergo a thorough examination.

If a person refuses medical care after a snake bite, complications may develop:

tetanus;
lymphedema;
phlebothrombosis.

There are bacteria in the viper's mouth, after a bite there is a chance of developing tetanus. Also, the cause may be getting into the wound of the earth, dirty grass, if the rules of hygiene were not observed. Symptoms of tetanus:

Tetanus is often fatal.

Lymphedema is a condition in which, due to an infection, the outflow of fluid through the lymphatic vessels is disturbed, swelling of the soft tissues of the affected limb occurs. Symptoms:

Conservative treatment of lymphedema does not always give a positive result, and often there is a need for surgical intervention.

In the bitten limb, phlebothrombosis may occur, which is characterized by the formation of blood clots in the veins. Symptoms:

Phlebothrombosis is treated surgically.

How to keep out of trouble

Viper bites can be avoided by following simple rules:

When stopping in the forest for the night, take steps to reduce the risk of a viper attack:

create strong vibrations of the soil: stomp, jump. The snakes will leave such a place;
close the tents tightly. Press the edges of the tent with stones to the ground;
do not leave clothes outside the tent;
be careful when moving through the forest at night. The snakes are also active at night.

A person is able to prevent a snake from attacking, the safety rules are simple and unpretentious. If the incident has already happened, do not panic: in a stressful situation, we often do the wrong things. Try to get medical help as soon as possible and do not refuse it.

Vipers - snakes, whose name is identified with evil, it has become a household name for all reptiles ("reptiles"). These reptiles are all the more interesting because they often turn out to be human neighbors, but how little the truth people know about them, underestimating and demonizing them at the same time. Meanwhile, vipers are some of the most advanced snakes on the planet. They constitute a separate family of vipers, numbering about 70 species. Their relatives include the same unsympathetic creatures as themselves - cobras and pit-headed snakes, among which there are many dangerous to humans.

Females of the Moldavian steppe viper (Vipera ursinii moldavica) - an endangered species. The poison of these snakes is so weak that it does not pose a threat to humans.

Despite their formidable name, vipers are small to medium sized snakes. The smallest of them - the pygmy viper - reaches only 30 cm in length, and the largest - the Gaboon viper (cassava) - can grow up to 2 m. The length of most species lies in the range of 50-75 cm. Flexibility and grace, which are famous for most snakes are not included in the virtues of vipers. Their body is short, but thick, the tail is curly, but the head is large. If you look at it from above, you can easily see the triangular silhouette common to all vipers, due to the fact that the interception of the neck under the head is narrow, the base of the skull is very wide, and the muzzle is blunt and quickly tapering towards the end. The body of vipers is covered with small scales, often rough to the touch. This is due to the fact that in many species of vipers the scales have a longitudinal keel. In addition, individual scales on the head can stand upright, forming a kind of paired or single horns.

Horned viper (Cerastes cerastes).

The coloration of these snakes is varied, but not catchy. A light zigzag or rhombic pattern can be considered a signature outfit, located on the back and sides along the main background, which depends on the habitat of a particular species. For desert and steppe vipers, the background color will be sand, light gray, for forest and swamp inhabitants it will be black, dark gray or brown.

The Gaboon viper, or cassava (Bitis gabonica) wears a contrasting outfit of light and dark spots, but this does not prevent it from remaining completely invisible under deadwood.

Tropical tree vipers are painted bright green to match the unfading southern vegetation. Some species, such as Nikolsky's viper, wear a gloomy monochromatic outfit.

Rough tree viper (Atheris squamigera) in most cases is bright green, but occasionally individual individuals can be painted in unusual colors for vipers: red, bright yellow, bluish-gray.

However, none of the described features reveals to an outside observer the main advantage of vipers - a perfect hunting apparatus. Like all snakes, vipers have a pair of poisonous teeth in the upper jaw, but due to the unique structure of the skull, these teeth, with their mouths closed, lie almost horizontally in the mouth, with their points back. This arrangement allows for disproportionately long venomous teeth, a luxury that other snakes can only dream of. In addition, these teeth fit in the mouth by no means automatically, but at the whim of their owner. So, a yawning viper is able to open its mouth without showing its weapon, and earthen vipers, on the contrary, can put their teeth vertically even with their mouth closed, while they place them on the sides of the lower jaw. Like sharks, vipers undergo a change of teeth, with poisonous teeth being replaced with new ones both in an emergency (for example, if an old tooth is broken during an unsuccessful attack) and in a planned manner. The halves of the upper jaw in vipers move independently of each other, which significantly increases the extensibility of the mouth. By the way, the oral mucosa of these snakes often has a bluish-violet hue.

Vipers are characterized by significant intraspecific variability. All four snakes in this photo are gray and brown color forms of the common viper (Vipera berus). In addition to them, this species has individuals of black color.

Very large poisonous glands, located at the base of the skull, and sometimes in the front of the body, are connected by ducts with poisonous teeth. The venom channel runs inside the tooth and opens outward on its front surface, almost at the very tip. Thus, the teeth of vipers act like syringes that literally inject poison into the body of the victim, but unlike other snakes, the toxin of vipers, due to the large length of the tooth, enters the depths of the tissues. This significantly increases the effectiveness of the bite, so vipers do not need to acquire any special poisons - the toxicity of these snakes can be described as average.

However, average toxicity does not mean harmlessness, because vipers know how to use the strong side of their weapons on the hunt. Unlike other snakes, vipers are phlegmatic and inactive. Crawling, they examine the thickets mainly at night, when they do not have to rely on vision, and during the day they prefer to sit in ambush. Their goal is by no means to catch up with the victim, but to wait until she herself almost steps on the viper. And it doesn’t matter what the size of the animal is - both the potential prey and the potential enemies of the vipers rush without delay, bite immediately and for real. Cobras, which alert large (i.e., potentially inedible) animals of their location with a characteristic stance and often make false throws without biting, appear to be noble knights by comparison.

Vipers are masters of camouflage. This male Greek steppe viper (Vipera ursinii graeca) is not immediately seen among the stones.

Viper venom has a hemolytic effect, that is, when it enters the bloodstream, it destroys red blood cells and releases the hemoglobin contained in them, which in its free form is extremely toxic itself. In addition, viper venom can disrupt blood clotting, and in two ways: when it decreases, the victim's body is affected by hemorrhages, and when it increases, vascular thrombosis occurs. All these charms are quite enough to kill a small animal or bird in a couple of minutes. As for man, few (mostly southern) species are deadly for him.

The favorite food of vipers are mouse-like rodents, lizards and small birds. In search of this prey, they slowly examine placers of stones, thickets of grass and shrubs, hoping to find a hole or a nest. As a rule, in such cases, death threatens not only adults, but also chicks and even eggs. However, vipers have a special relationship with birds. In the areas of seasonal migration or wintering, these snakes behave like real hunters, arranging "raids" for pichugs. But unlike hunters-beaters, vipers do not move, but sit in the bushes, choosing the most comfortable positions for themselves. Given the high density of birds in such places, they are provided with regular breakfasts, lunches and dinners. It happens that after such a seasonal hunt, a snake, having eaten, can starve without harming itself for several months. A rare spider-tailed viper, discovered only in 2006, is distinguished by a special insidiousness. This snake has a spiked thickening at the end of the tail, similar to a spider; moving its tail, the predator attracts the attention of the bird, and as soon as it approaches, it grabs the victim. Desert species of vipers (pygmy, horned, disputed) are able to burrow into the sand, vibrating their body, such disguise significantly increases the likelihood of meeting prey.

The spider-tailed viper (Pseudocerastes urarachnoides) is both enticing and inconspicuous.

To some extent, a viper childhood can correct this unpleasant reputation. At an early age, all vipers (and the smallest species even as adults) feed exclusively on insects, among which a large proportion is harmful locusts. Toad vipers, as their name suggests, specialize in eating frogs and toads.

Rhombic toad viper (Causus rhombeatus) lies in the water waiting for the catch.

It is believed that the ancient homeland of vipers was Africa, from where they came to Europe and Asia, but Australia, which separated early from the African continent, is deprived of vipers. These snakes are not found in North and South America, and in the Old World their distribution is very uneven. Most of all vipers are in Africa, their number and species diversity are quite high in adjacent areas: in the Near and Middle East, but only a couple of species live in the Far East and Europe. The common viper penetrates north of all, which can be found even beyond the Arctic Circle. It is clear that such a geographical coverage makes the habitats of vipers very diverse. One or another species can be found in dense forests, on the banks of lakes and rivers, among swamps, in the steppes, jungles, in the mountains at an altitude of about 3000 m, in deserts among loose sands. According to the way of life, vipers can be divided into three groups: most species are terrestrial reptiles, crawling on a flat surface and avoiding woody vegetation (they can only crawl onto a low bush); the genus of tree vipers is distinguished by a more slender body, these snakes deftly climb trees and even frozen in ambush, imitate a dry twig with their posture; the genus of earthen vipers leads an underground burrowing lifestyle; on the surface they can only be seen by chance, for example, when digging up the soil. Both tree and earth vipers are found exclusively in Africa.

The southern earth viper (Atractaspis bibronii) lacks the characteristic neck interception and triangular head. Such a worm-like body shape is an adaptation to living underground.

In the tropics, these snakes are active all year round; in the subtropics and the temperate zone, they go into a stupor during the winter cold. Vipers winter in the soil at a depth of up to 2 m. As shelters, they choose burrows of moles and rodents, gullies and voids formed by rotten roots, deep rocky crevices, sometimes hiding under haystacks. Winter shelters are the main factor limiting the northward expansion of the common viper. Where there are few of them, snakes show unusual friendliness, sometimes hiding in one place with tens and even hundreds of individuals. Necessity forces them to get along peacefully even with potential victims: spindles, toads, newts. But even in the warm season, vipers do not quarrel with each other, which is explained by their sedentary nature. Usually, the snake's hunting area is limited to a radius of several hundred meters; in this zone, the same individual can be found for years. But with a lack of food, vipers sometimes make short migrations, moving a couple of kilometers, at such moments snakes can be seen crossing large rivers.

In search of shelters for wintering, lodging, ambushes, vipers are very inventive and can find them, like this controversial viper (Eristicophis macmahoni), literally out of the blue. In deserts, this digging of sand allows snakes to also wait out the heat of the day.

Mating in temperate species takes place in the spring. During this period, males are actively looking for females, and when they meet, they arrange mating tournaments. Applicants wrap their backs around each other, and raise their fronts, in this position they push each other with their necks and cheeks, but do not use poisonous teeth. After mating, the male leaves the mate. Pregnancy in different species lasts from 3 to 6 months.

Mating tournament of Nikolsky's vipers (Vipera nikolskii).

Most species of vipers are ovoviviparous. This means that the female bears eggs in her body, and immediately after laying, kites hatch from them. It happens that the cubs leave the egg while still in the genital tract of the female. Some primitive species of vipers lay eggs, but even in this case, their maturation period is rather short. It is noteworthy that in many species of vipers, the embryos in the mother's body form a primitive placenta; in this regard, vipers are closer to people than birds. The fertility of these snakes varies widely: the smallest species give birth to 2-15 kites, large ones can make the world happy with 40-70 offspring at once. Newborns are poisonous from the first hours of life, but due to their small size they can only use their weapons against spiders and insects. These snakes reach puberty by 2-5 years, small species live up to 7-8 years, and large ones - up to 14-15 (up to 22 in captivity).

The moment of childbirth in a noisy viper (Bitis arietans).

Despite the poisonousness of vipers, there are many animals in nature that can somehow avoid a deadly bite. Hedgehogs, which are immune to snake venom, love to hunt them. Other animals - foxes, badgers, ferrets, dune cats, mongooses, meerkats - take dexterity. It is difficult for vipers to resist danger from the air, when a feathered predator dives quickly and stuns a snake that has grown mad in the sun with one blow of its beak. Thus they often find themselves in the beaks of eagles, harriers, kites, storks, owls, ravens, secretary birds, and especially serpent-eaters. Steppe vipers have a personal enemy - a lizard snake. She preys on her own kind and can eat 2-3 vipers at a time.

Vipers do not have special means of protection. When caught, they wriggle desperately, make lightning-fast throws for the entire length of the body and try to bite the offender. The noisy viper uses a technique somewhat reminiscent of cobra self-defense: it inflates its body (although it does not have a hood) and hisses very loudly, for which it got its name. It is noteworthy that this sound does not come from the snake's throat at all - the vocal cords are replaced by scales. Wriggling, the viper rubs one side against the other, this friction generates hissing. The chain viper (daboia), Avicenna's viper, and horned viper have the same frightening "voice" born in the same way. But there are cowards among these snakes. The tailed, bushy-browed, Palestinian and pygmy vipers living in the deserts do not rely on their own strength and flee at the slightest danger. Interestingly, when escaping, they use a special way of movement - a side move. In this case, the snake rests on the surface with the front and rear ends of the body, and throws the middle part of the body to the side, then, leaning on it, moves the head and tail, and so on. At the critical moment of the chase, such a movement can develop into a series of virtuoso lateral jumps. The ability to burrow into the sand also helps desert vipers escape from persecution. But the largest Gaboon viper is peaceful. Once caught, she does not resist, and it takes a lot of effort to anger her.

Pygmy viper (Bitis peringueyi).

It must be said that the bad fame of these snakes is greatly exaggerated, because even the bites of the most dangerous Gaboon and chain vipers are fatal only in 15-20% of cases. When bitten by an ordinary viper - the most common representative of the family in the middle lane - increasing pain develops, severe swelling that does not subside for several days or even weeks, dizziness, but, as a rule, these unpleasant symptoms are limited. Death occurs in 1% of cases, and even then only under a combination of unfavorable circumstances (most often small children who are bitten in the face die). Knowing the habits of vipers, it is not difficult to prevent an unpleasant meeting: while staying in dense thickets, you need to carefully look under your feet; do not explore with bare hands the spaces under the stones, hollows, stumps; when meeting with a viper, do not try to crush it with your feet, it is better to throw it aside with a long stick or simply leave - a slow snake will never pursue you. When bitten, the victim must be taken to the hospital, a tonic drink (tea) should be given on the road, a cold compress can be applied to the bite site to reduce pain and swelling. It is unacceptable to drag the bitten limb, cauterization; due to the great depth of the viper bite, the suction (squeezing out) of the poison is also ineffective. With competent assistance, recovery occurs in 2-5 days, with self-medication, it can drag on for several weeks.

Extensive hematomas (hemorrhages) caused by the bite of a common viper.

Viper toxin also has a downside. Due to its ability to increase blood clotting, the poison of some species is used in diagnostic practice and for the manufacture of hemostatic drugs. The effectiveness of these drugs is so high that they are prescribed even to patients with hemophilia, who are not helped by conventional clotting agents. The role of vipers in agriculture is also twofold. On the one hand, the bites of these snakes lead to the death of small livestock (this happens in remote areas of transhumance), on the other hand, this harm is compensated by the benefits of the destruction of rodents and locusts. It should be noted that although the ranges of vipers are extensive, among them there are many small species listed in the international and national Red Books. These include the steppe, Caucasian, Asia Minor and nosy vipers. So, if you happen to meet one of these snakes, do not kill it - by doing this you will demonstrate not only environmental awareness, but also help preserve the biological diversity of our planet.

Nitsche's tree viper (Atheris nitschei).