Almaty resident spots snake; experts confirm it's harmless

A snake sighting near an educational institution in Almaty has prompted clarification from local experts. A reader submitted a photo of the reptile, initially reported near a school and later near the Esentai River.

“

Three species of snakes are found within Almaty: the dione rat snake, like the one in your photo, the dice snake, and the grass snake, though the latter has been rare in recent years. All of them are non-venomous and pose no danger to humans.

Officials from KazNU and the city Akimat stated the sighting was outside their jurisdiction. The Department of Emergency Situations advised contacting a specialized snake removal service.

Sergey Golovenko, from the Almaty Zoo's Exotarium department, identified the snake as a dione rat snake, a non-venomous species commonly found in Almaty's urban areas like the Botanical Garden and Atakent park. He noted that snakes typically enter the city accidentally, transported with materials or seeking shelter.

“

All three species are absolutely harmless, non-venomous, and pose no threat to humans, so there is no point in catching them.

Golovenko emphasized that the dione rat snake, along with the dice snake and grass snake, pose no danger to humans. He explained that venomous snakes, such as the steppe viper and Halys pit viper, are found in the outskirts and mountains, respectively. While their venom has low toxicity, he cautioned that allergic reactions or underlying health conditions could increase risks, particularly for children and the elderly. However, he stated that bites from these venomous snakes are rarely fatal to healthy adults.

“

The steppe viper can be encountered in plains and steppe areas, while the Halys pit viper is found in the mountains. Both species are venomous; however, the specialist noted that their venom has relatively low toxicity, making fatalities from bites extremely rare.