Research: The number of snakes in Slovenia is still declining, although they are protected.
Snakes do not attack humans, some species defend themselves with a bite only if one reaches into their immediate vicinity or touches them. Although protected in Slovenia, their population is still declining, shows research from the Biotechnical Faculty.
Amphibians and reptiles are protected, but they are still threatened despite this, explained researcher from the Ljubljana Biotechnical Faculty Katja Konc at a press conference following a recent modras bite case.
"The European Environment Agency has found that agriculture is one of the key pressures on these animals. At the same time, pressures are also posed by urbanization, poaching, and traffic, a large part by negative attitudes stemming primarily from lack of knowledge, myths, and folk traditions," she outlined.
At the Ljubljana Biotechnical Faculty, they conducted a survey on farmers' attitudes towards reptiles and amphibians between April and June 2024, including 462 farmers from Pomurje and central Slovenia. According to Konc, farmers are well acquainted with common and distinctive species. The most important motivation for implementing nature-friendly practices comes from tradition, and intrinsic or internal motivation is also important. 73 percent of respondents notice a decline in the number of amphibians and reptiles in the local environment.
Attitude towards snakes is negative
The research also showed that farmers' attitude is much more negative towards snakes than towards other animals. Farmers who know the biology and ecology of snakes better also have slightly more positive attitudes towards them, which, according to Konc, indicates the importance of education and awareness-raising.
In 2020, there were about 60 snake species in Europe, while 11 species live in Slovenia, two of which lack more recent data. Slovenian snakes belong to the family of goži, which are non-venomous, and the family of gadi, which are venomous, explained Anamarija Žagar from the National Institute of Biology.
Snakes defend themselves with a bite
Snakes are predators, but they attack their prey and not humans, emphasized the head of the Kačofon project in the Herpetological Society Griša Planinc. Some species defend themselves with a bite only if a human reaches into the immediate vicinity of their head or touches them.
In Slovenia, belouška and kobranka never defend themselves with a bite. Among the species that defend with a bite that is not dangerous to humans are črnica, belica, progasti gož, smokulja, and mačjeoka kača. Meanwhile, the venomous ones in Slovenia include modras, navadni gad, and laški gad, which is found in Slovenia only on the border with Italy.
How to act in case of a snake bite?
In case of a bite from a non-venomous snake, Planinc advises everyone to disinfect the bite. In case of a venomous snake bite, move one meter away, photograph the snake, and call emergency medical help. He advises the victim to remain calm so that the venom spreads more slowly through the body.
The victim should be comfortably and safely positioned, as they may faint, and remove anything that could constrict the bitten area, such as a watch, jewelry, and clothing. He recommends keeping the bitten area lower than the heart.
One meter safety distance
For everyone who encounters a snake in nature, he recommends maintaining at least one meter safety distance. They can observe and photograph it for later reliable species identification. He recommends bypassing it or waiting for it to move away. "It is good to be properly shod, use paths, and watch your step. Do not reach into the unknown with your hands, always check where you sit or lie down," he advised.
Planinc explained that snakes cannot create hiding places themselves, so they use existing ones, which can be removed around the house. If snakes seek shelter in human habitats, he recommends returning them to the natural environment. They can also call Kačofon at 040 322 449 for help, where volunteers offer information, advice, and education among other things.
Source:
https://www.rtvslo.si/okolje/narava/raziskava-stevilo-kac-v-sloveniji-se-vedno-upada-ceprav-so-zavarovane/750848