July 15, 2025 — Baku, Azerbaijan
Recent sightings of snakes along Baku’s coastline have sparked public concern, but experts say these reptiles are longtime residents of the area—not newcomers.
Tavakkul Iskenderov, a senior researcher at Azerbaijan’s Institute of Zoology and a PhD in biology, told local media that snakes naturally inhabit the dry, rocky, and shrub-covered zones bordering the Caspian Sea.
“Beachfront areas often back into arid, uninhabited landscapes, which are ideal environments for reptiles,” Iskenderov explained. “In summer, people frequent these places more, increasing the chance of encounters with snakes. But the snakes have always been here.”
Among the species spotted is the venomous gurza (Levant viper), which poses the most risk to humans. However, the majority of snakes found on Baku’s shores and in nearby waters are non-aggressive and non-venomous.
“These reptiles venture into the water for food and return to land to lay eggs,” he said. “It’s not that snakes are invading the beaches—humans are simply encroaching deeper into their habitat.”
Iskenderov stressed that large-scale removal efforts would be ecologically harmful and likely ineffective. Instead, he advocates for better public education on how to avoid risky areas—such as rocky shorelines and dense shrubbery—and how to behave responsibly in nature.
“Except for the gurza, most snakes pose no serious threat,” he added. “We need awareness, not panic.”
