The snakes, known scientifically as Vipera berus and prevalent throughout much of Europe and parts of East Asia, have re-emerged after their winter hibernation, spreading fear among locals for the second consecutive year.

Residents of the town have seen these venomous reptiles entering shops and homes, prompting authorities to warn people to steer clear of the snakes.

The first sighting this year was in late May, when an adder was discovered in a local shop. Volunteer firefighters swiftly captured and relocated the animal.

In mid-June, the municipal guard responded to another incident involving an adder inside a residential home. The homeowner managed to catch the snake and call the authorities, who then safely removed and relocated it.

The municipal guard have advised residents to remain calm and maintain a safe distance if they encounter an adder, allowing it to leave on its own. For safe removal, they have recommended contacting professional services.

Encounters with these snakes are expected to continue, as last year saw around ten reported incidents between mid-May and late August.

As cold-blooded creatures, adders regulate their body temperature by basking in the sun or on warm surfaces such as stones and asphalt. This makes them easy to encounter during spring and summer, particularly in mountainous areas, though they are found throughout Poland and across Eurasia.

The snakes are mostly active during the day in the northern parts of their range, while in southern regions, they may be active in the evening or even at night during summer.

Generally timid, adders bite only when threatened. People are usually bitten when they accidentally step on the snakes or try to handle them. Adders typically retreat into the undergrowth at any sign of danger but may return to the same spot once it’s safe.

Occasionally, they might hiss loudly as a warning, particularly pregnant females. When threatened, the snakes coil their bodies into an S-shape in preparation for a strike.

The adder is a protected species. Deliberately killing and maiming them, and even purposefully frightening or disturbing them, is prohibited in Poland. Those violating the law face arrest or a fine.