In the summertime, frightened vacationers sometimes occasionally find a chess snake on the banks of water bodies or even directly in the water. Unfortunately, most of these meetings end in tears: someone complains about a spoiled vacation, someone hurries to evacuate children and property away from damned places, and some daredevils engage in battle with a creeping enemy, throwing stones and everything at hand horrible.
Even many experienced tourists, when meeting with a snake decorated with cages, are sure that they face a dangerous enemy. Nowadays, there are many common fictions about these creatures. Our article will tell you how things really are.
Common misconceptions
Serpentologists have long studied and described this species. However, many stubbornly continue to call the chess viper a snake, which even a relative of a dangerous poisonous predator does not have to. The stereotype is so widespread that even the name stuck along with the scientific one.
Even those who are sure that the viper does not bite in the water start to panic when they meet a chess amphibian. After all, it floats not only on the surface, but also dives beautifully. Many people think that this tricky variety is capable of attacking even at depths. But they are in many respects right: vipers actually do not dive and do not attack in the water.
Any living creature in case of danger, and even when it only thinks that danger is near, tries to defend itself. Man is also driven by this instinct. Therefore, many advise to get rid of the reptile, without waiting for the attack.
Is a chess snake poisonous or not? The question is simple only for those who are familiar with this animal. Most prefer simply to deal with it. Many snakes - "chess" die at the hands of frightened tourists because of the banal ignorance.
Already a viper: what is the difference
Specialists who are well versed in the issue know that distinguishing between these two species is not so difficult. Of course, even an ordinary, with yellow-orange spots on the cheeks, even children can recognize. But his fellow with a chess color was less fortunate.
However, there are several signs that can help you identify these snakes.
The head of the viper is spear-shaped. At a snake it is oval, with a sharp nose. On the back of the steppe viper there is a pattern with a pronounced central zigzag strip, which is often confused with chess spots located separately from each other.
These snakes have completely different pupils: the viper is thin vertical, like a cat, and the snake is round. Of course, from a long distance comparing the eyes, the shape of the spots and the head is difficult, but these differences are not unique.
That's why it is named so that it narrows along its entire length. The viper has a shorter tail, tapering sharply.
But the main feature is that the steppe viper lives in the steppe, and not near water bodies. But chess simply cannot live without them. In the next photo there is a steppe viper, and in all others - water snakes.
External features
Illustrations will help us evaluate the appearance. A photo of a chess serpent clearly demonstrates its smoothly tapering body shape, round pupils, and head shape.
This proves once again that we are not an adder before us. In length, this slender snake usually reaches 1-1.3 meters, but larger specimens are also found. The color of these amphibians is very spectacular, dark spots are located in almost perfect order against a light background. As for the color scheme, it can be from olive to chocolate. The colors are warm.
If you are lucky enough to discreetly observe the hunt of this predator, try to look into its mouth: there are no long viper fangs there. But a nimble forked tongue, like most brothers, is. But you should not be afraid of him; he is not a sign of toxicity.
Species affiliation
So, we already know that a chess snake is a real snake. Scientists call it water, which once again reminds of a way of life. This is a carnivorous non-toxic animal that belongs to the family of the indifferent.
Area
A thermophilic chess snake inhabits the southern regions of Eurasia, as well as in Central Asia and the Caucasus. Water snakes settle in the basins of large reservoirs. You can meet them on the banks of the rivers Don, Dnieper, Volga, Kuban; Black and Azov Seas; many reservoirs and estuaries.
But the viper with zigzag spots, which is often confused with water snake, lives in the steppe, forest-steppe and mountain zones of southern Europe, Ciscaucasia, the Caucasus, Siberia. She prefers shady ravines, ruined buildings, shrubs, mountain slopes. You can encounter such a snake in the mountains up to 2.5 thousand meters high, as well as in alpine meadows. Ponds are not interested in a dangerous snake.
Behavior features
When meeting a man, the water behaves quite typical: it wriggles, releases a fetid secret, tries to escape, and sometimes even pretends to be dead. It’s funny to watch him, but you should not abuse it. A loud noise scares a chess snake.
The behavior of this amphibian is non-aggressive. It will not attack. In June-July, when chess water snakes are breeding, they may show increased anxiety when meeting a person. You should not be afraid: the snake is not trying to harm you, it is just afraid for the kids.
In the afternoon, these cold-blooded animals prefer not to fuss once again. They rest on stones heated by the sun or wait for the heat in the thickets of coastal vegetation. The hunt begins with the arrival of coolness. They feed on small fish caught in water. The diet can include frogs, small rodents, insects.
How to behave when meeting
If you happen to take a vacation where water snakes live, do not forget that they are not dangerous. Try to explain other than what a "chess viper" is.
Photos of snakes taken on vacation will take their place in the album. But when shooting, try not to use the flash, it scares many animals. In addition, during the day when the snake is resting quietly and the chance to meet it is large enough, and there is enough lighting so that all the beautiful spots are clearly visible in the picture.
You should not catch snakes in water. They breathe lightly and, resisting, can choke. Anyway, it’s better not to take them in your hands - an unpleasant protective smell is not so easy to wash off.
