Venomous snakes in Georgia (Caucasus)

This atlas treats six vipers in the Republic of Georgia as medically significant: the Levantine viper (Macrovipera lebetinus), Transcaucasian long-nosed viper, Caucasus viper, Dinnik’s viper, Darevsky’s viper, and steppe viper. The eastern Montpellier snake (Malpolon insignitus) is a moderate-risk rear-fanged species — not a viper. Counts follow Tarkhnishvili et al. 2026; see the checklist article for confirmed vs candidate taxa.

The Levantine viper (Macrovipera lebetinus) is Georgia’s largest and most dangerous venomous snake; its bite can threaten human life. The Transcaucasian long-nosed viper is also high risk; the Caucasus, Dinnik’s, Darevsky’s, and steppe vipers are moderate risk in this atlas. The Montpellier snake is rear-fanged and not the Levantine viper — different risk and different fangs.

In the Republic of Georgia, the Levantine viper favors dry rocky east; the Caucasus viper Colchic forests and the western coast; Dinnik’s viper the high Greater Caucasus; the Transcaucasian long-nosed viper the Meskheti–Trialeti ranges; Darevsky’s viper the Javakheti–Erusheti highlands; the steppe viper Javakheti plateaus and eastern steppes. Exact administrative regions are on each species profile and in the regional atlas — absence on a region page is a data gap, not a national-range claim.

Vipers often have a vertical pupil and a more triangular head; many harmless snakes have a round pupil. The rule is not foolproof — light, angle, and defensive head-flattening mislead. The Levantine viper and Montpellier snake are often confused; learn species traits and habitat, and compare atlas profiles instead of relying on one cue.

Call 112 immediately and open the bite guide. Stay calm, limit movement of the bitten limb, and avoid home remedies (cutting, sucking, tourniquets). This page is educational for the Republic of Georgia and does not replace a clinician or emergency care.