Venomous snakes in Georgia

This atlas treats six species as medically significant: the Levantine viper (Macrovipera lebetina), nose-horned viper (Vipera ammodytes), Caucasus viper (Vipera kaznakovi), Dinnik’s viper (Vipera dinniki), Darevsky’s viper (Vipera darevskii), and steppe viper (Vipera renardi). Most other snakes here are harmless to people.

The Levantine viper (Macrovipera lebetina) is Georgia’s largest and most dangerous venomous snake; its bite can threaten human life. The nose-horned viper is also high risk; the Caucasus, Dinnik’s, Darevsky’s, and steppe vipers are assessed as moderate risk.

The Levantine viper favors dry rocky east; the Caucasus viper Colchic forests and the western coast; Dinnik’s viper the high Greater Caucasus; the nose-horned viper the Meskheti–Trialeti ranges; Darevsky’s viper the Javakheti–Erusheti highlands; the steppe viper Javakheti plateaus and eastern steppes. Exact regions are on each species profile and in the regional atlas.

Vipers often have a vertical pupil and a more triangular head; many harmless snakes have a round pupil. The rule is not foolproof — learn species traits and habitat from the profiles instead.

Seek medical care immediately. Stay calm, immobilize the affected limb, and avoid home remedies (cutting, sucking, tourniquets). This page is educational and does not replace a clinician.