Regions of Georgia

Colchic · foothills

Abkhazia joins the Black Sea coast, Colchic forests, and Caucasus foothills. Humid climate and fragmented montane habitats support both lowland and highland taxa — including Caucasian and Dinnik’s vipers.

Colchis · Svaneti

Samegrelo — Zemo Svaneti stretches from the Colchis lowlands to high Svaneti. Humid forests, river valleys, and alpine belts meet in one region — so fauna shifts with elevation.

Colchic · subtropical

Guria is defined by humid subtropical Colchic forests and river valleys. Moisture-loving fauna dominates — eastern arid-zone species are largely absent.

Colchic · coastal

Adjara is one of western Georgia’s most humid herpetological zones. Subtropical forests, mountain valleys, and the Black Sea coast bring together Caucasian viper, grass snake and dice snake, smooth snake, and glass lizard. Eastern arid-zone taxa are largely absent.

Karst · Rioni basin

Imereti links western Georgian habitats through karst mountains, wooded valleys, and the Rioni basin. Colchic influence remains strong, with more continental elements appearing inland.

High mountain · subalpine

Racha — Lechkhumi — Kvemo Svaneti is defined by high forests, subalpine meadows, and rocky gorges. Montane taxa such as Dinnik’s viper are more characteristic than lowland fauna.

Volcanic plateau

Samtskhe — Javakheti features volcanic plateaus, highland lakes, and dry foothills. Open, often cool habitats differ from Colchic west Georgia — nose-horned, Darevsky’s, and steppe vipers occur here; Caucasian viper is recorded in the Borjomi gorge.

Plain · Mtkvari valley

Shida Kartli bridges dry and semi-humid zones via plains, foothills, and the Mtkvari valley. Western and eastern faunal elements meet — from nose-horned viper to fast racers.

Greater Caucasus

Mtskheta — Mtianeti covers Greater Caucasus peaks, the upper forest belt, and subalpine meadows. It is classic range for montane reptiles, including Dinnik’s viper.

Dry plain · Mtkvari

Kvemo Kartli’s dry plains, rocky foothills, and Mtkvari basin favor warmth-loving species. Here appears the Levantine viper — one of eastern Georgia’s most significant venomous snakes.

Alazani · semi-arid

Kakheti’s Alazani valley, dry foothills, and semi-arid belts shape eastern Georgia’s distinctive fauna. Warmth-loving, dry-habitat taxa dominate — Levantine viper, fast racers, and cat snake.

Urban · Mtkvari

In Tbilisi, reptiles occur mainly in suburban valleys, parks, and riverside habitats — not dense city centers. Levantine viper, nose-horned viper, red-bellied racer, glass lizard, and others may appear. Urban encounters are uncommon but real.