Steppe Viper has a wide range of habitats.It is common in all European countries where there are forest-steppes, in Ukraine it can be found in the Black Sea and Crimea, and in Russia - in the European part of the steppes and forest-steppes, in the foothills of the North Caucasus. This snake also lives in Asia: in Kazakhstan, Southern Siberia, in the Altai. However, because of the active plowing of the land, the number of reptiles has declined markedly, and in European countries the animal is protected by the Berne Convention. In Ukraine and Russia, a reptile is listed in the national Red Books.
Steppe viper is a fairly typical animal, andIt is difficult to confuse it with a snake or a non-poisonous skid. The size of a reptile is from 55 to 63 centimeters, and females are larger than males. This view from other snakes is distinguished by some elevation of the edges of the muzzle, which gives it the appearance of "bared". On the sides the scales are colored in gray-brown tones, and the back is lighter with a distinct zigzag stripe running along the ridge. On his forehead is also seen a dark figure. The abdomen is light, with gray spots.
From winter hibernation these reptiles wake up independing on climatic conditions, when a temperature of at least seven degrees of heat is set. And in April or May they have a mating season. In spring and autumn, the snake emerges from the shelter only at the warmest time of the day, and in the summer it can be seen in the morning and evening hours. What do snakes of this species eat? Small rodents, chicks, but the main diet consists of insects, mainly fatty locusts. Therefore, the animal is considered useful for agriculture. Do not disdain the reptile and lizards. In turn, the reptile serves as a food for hawks, owls, other birds of prey. It is also devoured by a larger lizard snake.
The steppe viper is viviparous.In August the female brings in one litter from three to ten snakeheads. Newborns weigh about 4 grams with a body length of 11-13 centimeters. Sexual maturity small viper reach only in the third year of life, when they grow to 27-30 centimeters. Young animals are quite often, adult individuals are less likely to change their skin. For this, the snakes will climb into the crevice and begin to rub against the stones, until the cracks appear on the lips. After that, the individual crawls out of the skin, like an old stocking.
Steppe animals of Russia, including snakes, inmost are not dangerous. But vipers in this sense are an exception. However, rumors about the harm of their poison are somewhat exaggerated. Meeting with this snake can be fatal for a small animal, for example, a dog, but not for a person. Her bite is quite painful. On the spot it rapidly develops edema, which extends far beyond the affected foot. Hemorrhagic blisters and even necrotic areas can form. The bitten one observes dizziness, increased palpitations, drowsiness, nausea, a decrease in the overall body temperature.
If you or your partner was bitten by the steppeViper, it is necessary to render the first aid as soon as possible to the victim. To do this, wrap the cloth wrapped in a tourniquet, the area of the body above the bite. Most snakes sting in the foot (sometimes in the hand, when a person accidentally, in search of mushrooms or berries, stumbles upon an animal). The tourniquet should be rigidly applied to prevent the outflow of contaminated blood. After that, squeeze out the poisoned blood through the wounds left by the teeth of the viper. After this, the patient should nevertheless be taken to the doctor - to avoid complications and allergic reactions. Well-known serum "Anti-gyurza".
