Beskidy: Beware of vipers
The spring has come so you can meet a viper (Vipera berus) on the hiking trail in Beskidy mountains. The snakes like relatively hot temperatures and come out of their hidings and rest in the sun.
The members of GOPR (Mountain Voluntary Resque Team) are informing nobody has been attacked ot bitten yet, although they are in possesion of anitvenom in case of any incidents with vipers. GOPR warn the tourists and hikers to pay attention on trails. The vipers when not bothered are not dangerous, they attack when threatened only. It's recommended to wear high hiking boots, when you collect mashrooms or forest fruit use the stick for browsing.
Relatively thick-bodied, adults grow to 60 cm (2 ft) in length with an average of 55 cm (22 in). Maximum size varies per region. The largest -- over 90 cm -- are found in Sweden; specimens of 104 cm (41 in) have been observed there on two occasions.
Sufficient habitat complexity is a crucial requirement for the presence of this species, in order to support their various behaviors -- basking, foraging and hibernation -- as well as to offer some protection from predators and human harassment.It is found in variety of habitats, including: chalky downs, rocky hillsides, moors, sandy heaths, meadows, rough commons, edges of woods, sunny glades and clearings, bushy slopes and hedgerows, dumps, coastal dunes and stone quarries. They will venture into wetlands if dry ground is available nearby. Therefore, they may be found on the banks of streams, lakes and ponds.(source: Wikipedia)
(PAP/pz / 14 maja 2009 18:25)