Ada's red viper is a worldwide phenomenon

In Montenegro, as one of the largest centers of biodiversity in Europe, Ada Bojana is located in the very center of that center and belongs to the territory of the municipality of Ulcinj, and its territory contains many secrets of natural heritage, some of which are rare even in the whole world, among which is the red hop.

Ada Bojana is located on 250 km2 of lowland area, interspersed with 115 km2 of karst hills between Lake Skadar and the Adriatic Sea. The coastal strip between the two countries is characterized by natural dunes thirty kilometers wide and connected to brackish and fresh water along the Bojana River. However, apart from its interesting location and beautiful natural heritage, this place contains rarities that are unknown to us and the world. Namely, unknown to many, and a symbol of Montenegro and Ada Bojana in the world, a symbol whose disappearance is inevitable if we do not pay enough attention to it - the red viper, reports RTCG.

Although Ada is of great interest because of the variety of birds, many more people than we would have guessed come to Ada with only one goal, to see, photograph, and very often to take one or more viper (Vipera ammodytes).

This snake is just the same as all other vipers in its name. Various shades of red color, which sometimes varies up to purple, make those who have encountered them compare the exoticism and beauty of these vipers with colorful coral reefs.

This phenomenon is called erythrism. It also happens in other places in the world, with various types of animals, but it is all the influence of a combination of various factors that rule the habitat and is extremely rare.

As the number of terrarists, people who keep reptiles as pets, increases every year, the number of vipers on Ada decreases proportionally, while in a few decades the population of these unique red snakes will probably disappear completely.

What are we doing to prevent it? Well, nothing at the moment.

Ada Bojana, despite research that has shown that it represents a unique natural asset, is still not a protected area, and judging by the current situation, there is little chance that it will become one soon. Regardless of the purpose of arrival, everyone is allowed to enter, and customs control is not trained for such things.

And while dozens of these vipers travel to one of the European cities every year, while the price is set by people whose goal is only to make money at the expense of what we do not know how to value, the eco-symbol and eco-identity of the country is being successfully lost and one of the best eco-tourist locations, while we will soon only be able to see those red, exotic, "our" vipers on forums dealing with the sale of snakes.

There are always chances to make things right, but more on that another time if we ever come across the right opportunities to do so.

Montenegrin Wilderness