Zagreb Zoo

Date: 18.07.2011.

date: August 23th, 2011

Snakes have always evoked fear in people, as well as respect. Other than provoking fear, they were often part of superstitions and stories, represented as the symbol of evil. In the Biblical story of Adam and Eve, it is the snake that is responsible for talking them into original sin. Even our writer Ivana Brlić Mažuranić represents the snake as a symbol of deceit and evil.

On the other hand, many cultures worshiped the snake. Ancient Egyptians worshiped them as deities, and pharaohs wore crowns resembling cobras in the position of attack. In Greek mythology, snakes were the inspiration for fearsome creatures such as the Lernaean Hydra, a snake-like creature with nine snake heads, or Medusa, a woman with hair made of snakes. At the same time, to ancient Greeks, snakes represented the symbol of medicine and pharmacy. Today, the representation of a snake wrapped around a staff, known as the staff of Asclepius, is a symbol of pharmacy. In India, the snake is always associated with the deities Shiva and Vishnu. There is a Hindu festival called „Nag panchami“, during which snakes, most often cobras, are worshiped. In Chinese astrology, the snake takes one of 12 signs of the horoscope. It can be concluded that the lives of humans and snakes have been closely connected from our earliest history.

There are over 3000 snake species on Earth today and it is belived that not all are yet discovered. All snakes are grouped in the suborder snakes (Serpentes) which are part of the order of scaled reptiles (Squamata). They are spread out on all continents except Antarctica. The largest number of species lives in the tropics.

Out of all snakes in the world, over 600 species are venomous. Among the most famous are cobras, coral snakes, rattle snakes and mambas. The most venomous snake is the Inland Taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus). While the Inland Taipan is the most venomous terrestrial snake, the Faint Banded Sea snake (Hydrophis belcheri), with its 100 times stronger venom, is actually the most venomous snake in the world.

15 species of snakes have been recorded in Croatia, out of which 3 species are venomous and dangerous to humans: Horned Viper (Vipera ammodytes), Common European adder (Vipera berus) and Orsini's viper (Vipera ursinii macrops). There are two other venomous snakes, European Cat snake (Telescopus fallax) and Eastern Montpellier Snake (Malpolon insignitus), but their bite is not strong enough to be able to deliver the poison, and the injecting of the poison itself is too slow to be dangerous to humans. They are often called “semi-venomous snakes”.

All snakes in Croatia are protected and it is forbidden to hurt or kill them. It is also forbidden to disturb them, catch them or keep them in captivity. There are five snakes on Croatia's endangered species Red list, of which Orsini's viper is listed as endangered (EN), and the other four species are listed as insufficient data (DD).

The most common causes of endangerment of snakes in Croatia are habitat fragmentation due to urbanisation, road kills, overgrowth of lawns due to lack of free range cattle ranching, killing out of fear, illegal collecting for terrariums and pollution.

All three Croatian venomous snakes that are dangerous to humans belong to the order vipers (Vipera), and can be recognized by the characteristic zigzag line on their back, head that is visibly wider than the neck, short thick tail and pupils shaped like a vertical slit. Only the common European adder has a different coloration, it can be completely black or have a series of broken cross-lines.

All three vipers inhabit different habitats. The horned viper inhabits dry and rocky areas with scarce vegetation; common European adder inhabits wet grasslands and forests, while Orsini's viper inhabits high mountain grasslands in altitudes above 1100 m.

Distribution and biology of Orsini's viper in Croatia is still not very well known which is why the “Orsini’s viper protection project” has been started. The project is underway with the collaboration of associations and institutions that are involved in this subject.

With the goal of introducing the greater public with Croatia’s venomous snakes, Zagreb Zoo has opened an exhibit on the 1. floor of the insect pavilion. In that exhibit, visitors can learn about the biology of snakes, ecology of the species and have fun with the interactive displays. As part of the exhibit visitors will be able to see three of the most venomous snakes in Croatia.