Danger of poisonous snakes in Baku: expert named high-risk areas

Today, alarming information spread in the media about a 7-year-old child being bitten by a snake in the Central Botanical Garden, located in the center of Baku. It is reported that the child's condition is serious. This incident has caused serious concern among parents and the public: are there really poisonous snakes living in Baku?

Commenting on the situation for BAKU.WS, Associate Professor of the Institute of Zoology of ANAS, Doctor of Philosophy in Biology Sakina Hajiyeva noted that although what happened may seem surprising, it is quite possible.

According to her, Baku and Absheron in terms of climate belong to the semi-desert and dry subtropical zone. This environment is very favorable for the poisonous Levantine viper (vipera lebetina).

"Levantine vipers do indeed live in Baku. These snakes prefer to rest in cool places under rocks and shrubs. During the day they usually rest, and they go hunting at night. Levantine vipers hunt rabbit kits, rats, and other small rodents.

In the climatic conditions of the capital, the Levantine viper is considered the most common species of snake, and it has several subspecies."

The specialist emphasized that snakes most often live in ruins, desert and semi-desert territories, in places with low population density.

"Snakes may appear in the botanical garden by chance. The area where the botanical garden is located used to be an old cemetery. We (in the courtyard of the Institute of Zoology - Ed. note) also sometimes encounter snakes. It is quite possible that the snake was in the upper part of the garden, in an open sunny area. This part, as I have already noted, is located on the site of an old Baku cemetery. And behind it is the Institute of Zoology," the expert emphasized.