Are there snakes in switzerland

DOI: Plate , H. Kupferschmidt , M. Schneemann Published 8 June Medicine Praxis Although snake bites are rare in Europe, there are a constant number of snake bites in Switzerland. There are two domestic venomous snakes in Switzerland: the aspic viper Vipera aspis and the common European adder Vipera berus. Bites from venomous snakes are caused either by one of the two domestic venomous snakes or by an exotic venomous snake kept in a terrarium.

Potentially fatal systemic complications are related to… Expand. View on PubMed. Save to Library Save. Create Alert Alert. If possible, choose a shady place for your wood stacks, as snakes prefer warm and sunny hiding places. Rules of behaviour when encountering snakes Please observe the following rules of behavious when encountering snakes. Rules of behavious as precautions Do not walk barefoot in unclear terrain; wear suitable shoes and long pants children, too, should wear no shorts Do not let children play in unclear locations and explain to them that snakes can be dangerous when people get too close or bother them.

Do not touch it and do not bother it; make sure that the snake notices you and thus has time to retreat. Before using a rest area, search it for snakes first. Do not reach with your hands into bushes or undergrowth; berry and mushroom pickers should tap it with sticks first, in order to make snakes retreat that may hide there.

Be careful when placing your hands on unclear areas such as wood stacks, dry walls of piles of stones. When lifting stones or wooden boards, keep in mind that snake may hide under them. Do not sleep on the ground in areas populated by snakes; always use a tent or a cot. When collecting wood in the night, always use a flashlight. Have you seen a snake around your house? And the Swiss ones are not the poisonous type. There is a dangerous "biter", though: the tick.

Be informed of the risks en. Be careful if you hike in the woods, wear pants, a hat, and, if the climate allows for it, a scarf. Check your entire body after each hike. I was bitten myself two months ago, probably while gardening in Switzerland , Noticed only when a "full" tick fell on the floor of the shower cabin.

Two visits to the doctor, and antibiotics for 10 days I reopened this thread because I recently heard from someone who encountered a snake in Switzerland in It was a viper on a hiking trail in the canton of Ticino.

The hiker wore low shoes and was bitten in her ankle. She probably did not notice the viper and stepped on it by accident. As a result, she was hospitalized for 3 days unfortunately. For me, it was a reminder that hiking should always by done wearing high hiking shoes and long pants - no shorts.

Further hiking tips are here: www. Luckily my wife is very myopic. Book 11 months in advance.