Mushroom gathering is one of Russia's favourite pastimes, but it can be dangerous. You can inadvertently grab a grass snake or a viper, and they will swiftly take revenge. 

      This season 12 citizens of St. Petersburg received viper bites; this is an increase by 4 people, compared to last year. Only 4 of this year's victims were taken to the reanimation; the rest only needed regular medical attention. 

      The peak occurred in July when 7 people were attacked by vipers. All incidents happened by the water - due to a rather dry summer, reptiles took to the river banks where they sometimes met the "alien" humans. 

      The possibility of being bitten by a viper can be reduced significantly if a person is attentive about where they walk, the doctors explain. This year's victims were all bitten on either hands or feet. But sometimes vipers sneak further up the human body, to a person's neck and head, and this can be dangerous. 

      As the season has not entirely ended yet, there remains a possibility of a viper attack.