As the eather gets warmer and the vegetation grows, snake activity increases, which in some cases can lead to their incidental appearance in urban areas. These rare encounters with snakes may raise concerns among citizens about their own safety and that of their pets.

The Macedonian Ecological Society advises citizens to remain calm, be cautious, and avoid direct contact with these animals, even though the majority of snake species in Macedonia are not dangerous.

There are 16 species of snakes living in the country, of which only three are venomous. The most widespread—and thus the most dangerous—is the horned viper (Vipera ammodytes), recognizable by the characteristic “horn” on the front of its head and the diamond-shaped patterns along its back. The other two venomous species—the adder (Vipera berus) and the steppe viper (Vipera ursinii)—live at altitudes above 1,500 meters, and only on specific mountains in the country.

In the case of a snakebite, citizens should stay calm and seek immediate medical assistance. If there are no pre-existing health issues and medical help is provided promptly, the bite can usually be treated without serious complications to the person’s health.

“There are no snake species in Macedonia that aggressively attack humans to defend territory or nests. On the contrary, any close encounter or bite usually happens due to inattention or not wearing appropriate gear (such as high boots) while in nature. Snakes always try to avoid human contact and will usually flee or freeze in place—the only thing we need to do is walk around them or let them continue on their way,” explains Dragan Arsovski, a doctor of biological sciences specialized in snakes and other reptiles with the Macedonian Ecological Society.

We appeal to citizens not to attack or harm snakes, as they play an essential role in maintaining the fragile balance of the ecosystem and in controlling rodent populations as well as other snake species. We remind everyone that there is no official snake removal service in Macedonia, and as a preventive measure, citizens should regularly and properly maintain their yards to discourage snakes from taking shelter there.