(Screenshot/Northern Velebit National Park Facebook)
A rare glimpse of life in the wild has been captured in Northern Velebit National Park, where a poskok (nose-horned viper) was filmed while feeding, in a scene showing <a href="https://zagreb.today/croatia-no-longer-near-eu-bottom-for-holiday-affordability/” title=”Croatia no longer near EU bottom for holiday affordability”>Croatia’s most distinctive and venomous snakes behaving naturally in its habitat.
The footage was recorded by park ranger Adam Rukavina and shows the snake apparently feeding on a small bird, believed to be a tit.
The park shared the unusual encounter as an example of nature unfolding without human intervention.
The poskok is recognisable by the characteristic horn-like projection on the tip of its snout. It is found in rocky, sunny habitats and is present in areas of the Velebit mountain range.
Although its venom makes it a potentially dangerous animal, the poskok generally avoids people and does not normally attack unless it feels threatened.
Most encounters occur when a snake is accidentally approached, stepped on or otherwise disturbed.
The species also plays an important role in the ecosystem. As a predator, its diet includes a range of smaller animals, particularly small mammals, lizards and birds.
What should you do if you encounter a poskok?
The safest response is to keep your distance and allow the animal to move away. Do not attempt to touch, chase, catch or kill the snake. Experts advise moving away calmly and avoiding sudden movements.
If a person is bitten by a suspected venomous snake, the priority is to remain calm and seek emergency medical assistance as quickly as possible. Movement should be kept to a minimum and the bitten limb should be immobilised. Tight clothing or jewellery around the affected area should be removed because swelling can develop.
Medical guidance also stresses what not to do: do not apply a tourniquet, cut the wound, attempt to suck out the venom or apply ice. The snake should not be pursued or caught for identification, as this creates a further risk of being bitten.
Source: www.croatiaweek.com
