An especially dangerous snake masquerading as a common grass snake was found in Sverdlovsk Oblast.

      In Sverdlovsk Region, an especially dangerous snake was found disguised as a common grass snake

      today at 12:31 Sverdlovsk resident Diana unexpectedly encountered a venomous snake in a Ural village. The girl went on vacation to Bagyashkovo village (Artinsky urban district), where during a walk her cat caught a dangerous snake.

      — "A smart camera identified it as a Nikolski viper," shared a local resident with E1.RU.

      Vladimir Vershinin, head of the Laboratory of Functional Ecology of Terrestrial Animals at the Institute of Plant and Animal Ecology of Ural Branch of RAS, explained that the photo shows a common melanistic viper. Due to high levels of melanin, these snakes have a black coloration.

      Anna Postovalova, head of the scientific and educational department of Yekaterinburg Zoo, noted that in the Urals, both melanistic grass snakes and melanistic vipers are found. However, telling them apart is difficult, so it’s better to simply step aside.

      — "Local snakes are timid and will rather hide than attack," added the expert.

      In June, a man was bitten by a snake in Baranovka settlement in Revda. The victim was taken to intensive care.

      Residents of Sverdlovsk reported snake incursions in the forests near Yekaterinburg.

      A huge snake was spotted crawling near a café in Yekaterinburg.

      Earlier, a snake was seen near the VEER Mall shopping center in Yekaterinburg.

      A Yekaterinburg woman was hospitalized after a snake bite.

      A snake was seen in Mayakovsky Park.