Zigzag viaries in Polish forests. Be careful during walks

The beginning of March in Poland was warm. As the foresters from the Józefów Forest District (Lubelskie Voivodeship) passed, just at the end of February, zigzag vipers began to appear on the trails. These animals love warmth and often lie in meadows and roads. They usually wake up from winter rest in March, and their mating season is underway at the turn of April and May when they are more active.

“As you can see, nature is already coming to life. Going to the forest, let's dress the right footwear. A moment of inattention and we may not notice it” – they wrote in social media.

Zigzag viper (Vipera Berus) is the only venomous snake living in Poland. We will recognize it thanks to the head -shaped head, clearly separated from the rest of the silhouette, red -brown eyes and a characteristic dark zigzag along the body – it is less visible only in individuals with melanic or black.

As foresters reminded, bites are usually caused by accidental step or attempt to capture – zigzag vipers do not attack if they do not feel threatened. “In the event of a meeting, we best avoid her with a wide arc, after all, the forest is her home,” they said.

If a bite occurs, first of all, keep calm – falling into a panic can accelerate the spread of venom in the body. A shielding dressing must be put on the wound, and the wounded limb can be immobilized and lifted above the heart level. It is necessary to call for help, and in waiting for its arrival we should avoid moving.

It should be remembered, however, that although not every bite ends with an injection of venom and the occurrence of symptoms, we should always see a doctor. In children, the shock may occur up to 16 hours after the event, despite the lack of local symptoms.