Snakes in Georgia (Caucasus)

The catalog below lists 22 snake species. Of these, the following are candidate taxa: Red-bellied racer, Urartian ratsnake, Eastern Montpellier Snake, Darevsky's viper, Dinnik's viper, and Eastern steppe viper. The number can change with taxonomy and newly confirmed data.

Six of Georgia’s venomous snakes are vipers; the seventh is the Eastern Montpellier snake. The guide venomous snakes in Georgia covers each one with photos, identification traits, and range. Most snakes in Georgia are harmless, so do not kill an unknown snake by mistake — keep your distance and compare its traits with the species profiles.

Some vipers have a vertical pupil and a relatively broad, triangular head, but those traits are not enough in every case. For more reliable identification, consider other body traits, habitat, and distribution region — the venomous snake identification guide compares them.

Georgia’s snakes occur in varied habitats, from forests and high mountain zones to dry eastern landscapes. You will find a specific species’ distribution on its profile, in the snake range guide, and in the regional atlas; one species often occurs in several regions.

Do not touch it, keep your distance, and walk around it. If bitten, call 112 and see the bite guide. If the snake is in the yard, see the yard guide.