Vertebrate Zoology - Practical Course - V. V. Kuibida - 2007

MODULE 3. Class Reptilia

Reptiles of the Pereiaslav Region

Eight species of reptiles are widespread in the Pereiaslav region. In river valleys, at forest edges, in sparse forests, agricultural lands, etc., the sand lizard (Lacerta agilis) is commonly found, also known locally as the common lizard or "plyhavka". Its main diet consists of insects. Cases of cannibalism have been recorded among large males, which may prey on juveniles and eggs alike. The lizard is an unwelcome guest at apiaries. It lies in wait near the hive entrance, and when a bee approaches the flight opening with nectar, the lizard springs upward like a gymnast to catch the insect for breakfast or lunch.

The viviparous lizard (Lacerta vivipara) inhabits damp forest areas, marsh edges, wooded peatlands, and the banks of Water bodies. It is a strong swimmer and diver, capable of running along the bottom and burrowing into silt. In the Pereiaslav region, this species is rare because the southern boundary of its distribution range runs precisely through the Middle Dnieper area, following the line of Vinnytsia-Cherkasy-Poltava-Kharkiv.

The non-venomous legless slowworm (Anguis fragilis), also locally called "padavka" or "slyven", can be found in almost all forest types of our region, particularly in oak groves. Due to their superficial resemblance to snakes, slowworms often suffer from humans who try to kill them upon encounter. In reality, the slowworm is very docile and does not attempt to bite even when picked up. Its only defense is the typical lizard-like autotomy, shedding its tail to serve as a meal for predators, which sometimes saves the animal's life. The backward-curved, conical Teeth of the slowworm help it hold onto slippery earthworms, which it "unwinds" from their burrows by rotating around its longitudinal axis. The scientific name of this lizard is etymologically transparent and encapsulates the most Characteristic Features of the species, whereas the folk name "padavka" is rooted in ancient beliefs. Superstitious warnings that if you step on any animal, your leg will rot away can be considered an element of primitive conservationist awareness. In his work (Part V), I. Vyhratskyi cites the following names and opinions regarding their origin: "padaleshnyk" (if you step on one, your legs fall off), "popadynets", "padalnytsia" (if a "padalnyk" bit a man while he was riding a cart, stepping over the wheel hub, the man would die (!), but the evil creature would regain its sight and become sighted") (p. 16).

Favorite habitats for the grass snake (Natrix natrix), locally known as "vodyanka" or "padyukh", include marshes, riverbanks, and pond shores overgrown with bushes and emergent aquatic vegetation. The venomous common adder (Vipera berus), locally called "padyukh" or "shypotynnytsia", is found in waterlogged forest areas; the steppe viper (Vipera ursinii) inhabits open dry landscapes; and the smooth snake (Coronella austriaca) prefers dry forests.

Grass snakes lack venom-conducting teeth and are therefore considered non-venomous. However, while harmless to humans, the saliva of grass snakes—especially African species—is toxic to small animals. Rest assured, a grass snake has no desire to cross paths with you, and its immediate reaction is a swift retreat. If you have time, take a closer look at its body. If two pink or yellow patches are present behind the eyes, it is a grass snake. Adders lack such markings. When handled, a grass snake emits a foul-smelling yellow fluid from its cloaca and may regurgitate a frog or lizard if its Stomach is full. During field practice, students of the Faculty of Natural and Geographical Sciences have repeatedly observed how a regurgitated frog remained alive and hopped away as if it had never been inside a snake's stomach. In some cases, the grass snake displays the acting skills of a "meritorious artist" performing a death scene. The "actor" rolls over onto its back, convulses, and with its Mouth wide open, "temporarily dies". According to literary accounts, for greater realism, a few drops of Blood may trickle from the nostrils of the feigned corpse, although we have never observed this phenomenon ourselves. Interestingly, large grass snakes usually hiss and mimic a strike, whereas smaller ones stage a "death". Grass snakes can endure long periods of fasting; a fast of up to 300 days has been recorded for these reptiles.

The smooth snake has a body length of up to 65 cm, with upper coloration ranging from gray and grayish-brown to red-brown and copper-red. The dorsal pattern consists of 1-2 rows of transverse spots. However, the most distinctive feature is a narrow dark stripe running from the nostril through the eye to the corner of the mouth. The behavior of this snake when threatened is rather unusual. Often, instead of fleeing, it coils tightly into a ball and tucks its HEAD in the center. An interesting defensive strategy, isn't it? "I don't see the danger — therefore it doesn't exist." Smooth snakes are non-venomous and completely harmless to humans.

The size of male common adders rarely exceeds 60 cm, with females being slightly larger. Like most snakes, the common adder is distributed very unevenly across the landscape in so-called "snake patches". In Ukraine, there are locations where up to 90 snakes can be found per hectare. In wintering sites, within a single burrow or under an old tree stump—referred to as "adder dormitories"—up to 200-300 individuals can be found together with frogs, newts, and slowworms. In spring, males engage in mating combat. In these fights, everyone adheres to a "dueling code," the main rule of which is the prohibition of using venomous fangs. Contenders for the "bride's hand" raise their necks, intertwine, and push against each other to force their opponent to the ground. To an outside observer, this resembles a graceful dance rather than a duel, and participants sustain neither wounds nor scratches. During summer excursions, unlike in spring, one encounters more females basking in the sun to warm themselves and their embryos. Heat is essential for The Development of the young adders. Scientists have discovered that 2.5 times more males are born than females. After the first wintering, this sex ratio equalizes, naturally due to higher mortality rates among males.

To grow larger, adders must shed their tight scaly Skin. The rate of molting is determined by the animal's physical condition and acts as a form of natural Selection. Strong adders molt within 1.5-2 hours, while sick and weak ones struggle for up to two weeks and sometimes even perish. An adder bites a human only when stepped on or picked up. An adder bite is quite painful, leaving two drops of blood rather than the horseshoe-shaped mark of a grass snake, yet a person recovers within 2-4 days. Over many decades in Ukraine, isolated cases are known where an adder bite to the face resulted in a child's death. Fatalities more often occur As a result of improper Treatment. An effective medical treatment is the administration of a specific antivenom serum.

A typical inhabitant of deep marshes and ponds in the Middle Dnieper region is the European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis), also known locally as the river turtle, water turtle, or "korytnytsia". It swims and dives swiftly. In summer, the turtle loves to bask on sunny shores. Try approaching it unnoticed; in a split second, the turtle darts into the water and buries itself in the silt. It surfaces every 15-20 minutes to take in air, but in experiments, a pond turtle can remain submerged for two days. The pond turtle feeds on invertebrates, fish, and amphibians. It reaches sexual maturity at 6-8 years of age. In spring, the female lays eggs in the soil. After 2-3 months, hatchlings emerge with large yolk sacs on their bellies. This nutrient reserve is sufficient to keep them hidden underground until the following spring, by which time they have grown and gained strength.

The Red Data Book of Ukraine includes two reptile species of the Pereiaslav region:

✵ Smooth snake (Coronella austriaca), Order Squamata — Category II (vulnerable). Also included in the lists of the Bern Convention (Appendix II). The sole representative of the genus Coronella in the fauna of Ukraine. In the Pereiaslav region, this snake can be classified as a very rare species. However, on the right bank of the Dnieper, including the vicinity of Buchak village in Kaniv District—where students of the Faculty of Natural and Geographical Sciences of the Pereiaslav-Khmelnytskyi State Pedagogical University undergo their field practice—the smooth snake is encountered every year. The smooth snake suffers particularly from humans due to the widespread misconception regarding its venomous nature. Therefore, the most effective conservation measures include expanding protected areas and raising public awareness about the need to protect the species.

✵ Steppe viper (Vipera ursinii), order Squamata — Category II (vulnerable). One of two species of the genus Vipera in our fauna. The main distribution range of the species lies in eastern and southern Ukraine. The only Evidence of the steppe viper's presence in the Pereiaslav region was the discovery of a specimen in the mid-20th century near the urban-type settlement of Berezan in Baryshivka District. Since then, no further records of this snake have been reported in our region. To establish the current status of the steppe viper, special studies are required in the Pereiaslav-Khmelnytskyi, Yahotyn, and Baryshivka districts of Kyiv Oblast. The steppe viper strongly resembles the common adder but differs in its smaller size (up to 55 cm) and preference for drier habitats. This snake avoids agricultural land, lingering in bushes, ravines, and roadside verges when virgin lands are plowed. The primary dorsal body color is most light gray, occasionally brownish, with a dark zigzag band along the spine extending from the nape almost to the tip of the tail.

Three reptile species of the Pereiaslav region are listed in the Bern Convention (Appendix II), including the aforementioned Red Book smooth snake.

✵ European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis), order Testudines. Other Ukrainian names: river turtle, water turtle, "korytnytsia". The only turtle species in the fauna of Ukraine. Within the Pereiaslav region, it is a fairly common species, found in inland water bodies and rivers as well as in the Kaniv Reservoir and on islands. In addition to visual sightings of adults, the presence of turtles can be confirmed by the remains of specific eggshells at hatching sites of juveniles.

✵ Sand lizard (Lacerta agilis), order Squamata. Other Ukrainian names: common lizard, "plyhavka". One of seven species of the genus Lacerta in the fauna of Ukraine. In our region, it is the most abundant lizard species and inhabits various, predominantly dry biotopes, including agricultural lands. Depending on sex and age, it can vary in size and coloration—from gray and brown to bright green.