Vipera kaznakovi is a venomous snake. In Georgia, it is found mainly in the humid Colchic forests of the west and near the Black Sea coast. Adults are usually about 45–60 cm long. It has a relatively thick body and vertically elongated pupils, and is often bright red-orange. The species was described from a snake collected in Tsebelda, near Sukhumi in Abkhazia. As of 2026, Vipera kaznakovi is recognized as a confirmed species. The viper named for Dinnik and some other snakes in the same group are considered possible separate species, because the boundaries between them are not yet fully clear. A global assessment in 2008 found Vipera kaznakovi to be endangered. It received the same assessment in Georgia’s 2014 Red List.
Identification
Vipera kaznakovi is a relatively small, stocky snake. Its pupils are vertically elongated, and a raised ridge runs down the middle of its scales. Its main body color is often bright red-orange, though its coloring can vary. Where it is found also helps identify it: in Georgia, it occurs mainly in the west, in the wet lowlands of Colchis.
Often confused with
Its body is relatively short and thick. Its triangular head is clearly distinct from its neck; it has no horn-like growth on its snout. An adult Caucasian viper is usually about 45–60 cm long, though it rarely reaches 65–70 cm. Females are generally larger than males. In one group of measured snakes, the largest female was 60 cm long, while the largest male was 47.5 cm.
The pupil looks like a vertical slit. Each scale on the back has a distinct raised line down its center. The main body color is often brick-colored, orange, or yellowish brown. A dark zigzag stripe runs along the back. Black ones are also common, though they too usually have a red or yellow tinge around the mouth.
In the west, Natrix natrix can also be almost black and may look like a black viper from the Caucasus at a distance. Natrix natrix has round pupils. Its pale “collar” is often visible, but it may be hard to see on an almost black snake. Natrix natrix is not venomous. Brown Coronella austriaca have dark spots on their backs. If you cannot see the snake clearly, you may mistake these spots for the dark markings on the back of a viper from the Caucasus. Coronella austriaca has round pupils and smooth scales on its back, with no raised ridge down the middle of the scales.
Vipera dinniki is found mainly in the high mountains of the Greater Caucasus, at elevations of about 1500–2800 m. It is often grayer or browner and has a narrower head than the Caucasian viper. Vipera transcaucasiana has a clearly visible, horn-like projection on its nose. In Georgia, it is found in dry mountain areas of the Lesser Caucasus.
The viper called “კავკასიური გველგესლა” is venomous. It poses a moderate danger to people. If it bites you, you need medical attention. Do not approach the snake, touch it, or try to pick it up.
Vipera kaznakovi is found mainly in the damp parts of Colchis in western Georgia. It lives at forest edges, in ravines, in beech and chestnut groves, on flat, raised ground beside rivers, and in cleared meadows. It does not usually live on the dry plains of the east or in the mountain belt above the forests of the Greater Caucasus. Vipers living in the Borjomi Gorge and Banishkhevi were previously classified as Vipera kaznakovi. It is still not entirely clear which form in the Vipera kaznakovi group these vipers belong to. A 2026 list assigns vipers living in the forests of central Georgia to Vipera dinniki tuniyevi. Vipera kaznakovi is found mainly up to about 1,000 m above sea level. It rarely ventures deep into dense coniferous forest.
Distribution
132 field records2008–20266 regions
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| regions | field records | |
|---|---|---|
| Distribution confirmed | ||
| Region with records | 52 | |
| Region with records | 18 | |
| Recorded only | ||
| 4 | ||
| 2 | ||
| 2 | ||
| 1 | ||
The Caucasus viper map combines Reptiles.ge editorial photo records, hand-curated localities, and public iNaturalist observations. Regions are taken from the records-by-region table, and the status column separates confirmed distribution from recorded-only regions.
Data: Reptiles.ge + iNaturalist · Methodology
Biology
Adult vipers known as კავკასიური გველგესლა catch rodents, lizards and small birds. Young ones also eat insects, including grasshoppers.
The Caucasian viper lives out of sight. It also comes out during the day, especially in cool weather. In hot weather, it seeks shade more often. It gives birth to live young. It may have around 5–10 young at a time. If you encounter a Caucasian viper, keep your distance and do not try to pick it up. It does not seek out people and usually defends itself when it feels threatened.
A 2008 global assessment found that the species კავკასიური გველგესლა was at risk of extinction. The places where it lives were estimated to cover less than 500 km² in total. It is found in clearly separate areas, and its numbers are declining. The assessment was made before it was clarified which species belong to this group. Georgia’s 2014 assessment also found the species to be at risk of extinction. Its main threats are the loss of places where it lives as tourism, cities and agriculture expand, as well as illegal capture and killing by people.
Questions
Short answers to the most important questions about Caucasus viper.
Yes, კავკასიური გველგესლა is venomous. It poses a moderate risk to people, and a bite requires medical attention. This snake does not chase people. It usually defends itself when it feels threatened. Keep your distance and do not try to pick it up or catch it.
Call 112 immediately. Reassure the person who was bitten, have them lie down, and try to keep them as still as possible. Do not cut the bite site, try to suck out the venom, or apply a tight tourniquet. The person must be taken to a hospital for treatment. For more information, see the snakebite guide.
The Caucasian viper is a small, thick-bodied snake. Its pupils are vertically elongated, and its scales have a raised line down the middle. Its main body color is often reddish-orange. It usually has a dark zigzag stripe along its back. It has no horn-like growth on its nose. The common grass snake is more slender. It has round pupils and often a yellow “collar.” It is not venomous.
The presence of the species known in Georgian as კავკასიური გველგესლა has been confirmed in Georgia. It was first described using a snake from Abkhazia. It is found mainly in the humid Colchian areas of western Georgia. It is not found throughout the country. The dry plains of eastern Georgia are not its usual habitat.
The Caucasian viper is found in Georgia mainly in damp parts of Colchis: at forest edges, in ravines and in other damp, wooded places. It mostly lives at elevations up to about 1,000 m above sea level. It is still unclear exactly which species the vipers of this group recorded in the Borjomi Gorge and Shida Kartli belong to.
An adult Caucasian viper is usually about 45–60 cm long. It rarely reaches 65–70 cm. Females are generally larger than males. Compared with the gyurza, this snake is much smaller and shorter.
The viper called კავკასიური გველგესლა lives mainly in the low, damp forests of Colchis, often at elevations up to about 1000 m. It has a relatively broad head and is often red-orange. The viper called დინიკის გველგესლა lives in the high mountains of the Greater Caucasus, at about 1500–2800 m above sea level. It is often more gray or brownish.
A 2008 global assessment found that the Caucasian viper is endangered: it occurs in a small area divided into many separate parts, and its numbers are declining. Georgia’s 2014 Red List also classifies it as endangered.
References
Species profiles are compiled from peer-reviewed literature and established biodiversity databases, and are reviewed as new taxonomic and conservation data become available.
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