Niš man hospitalized after non-venomous snake bite

A man was treated at the University Clinical Center Niš after being bitten on the leg by a snake near the city's bus station. Medical professionals confirmed the snake was a non-venomous smooth snake, meaning no anti-venom was required. The patient was held for observation as a precaution but was cleared for discharge due to a mild clinical presentation.

Herpetologist Danko Jović from the Institute for Nature Protection Niš explained that such encounters in urban areas are not unusual. He noted that snakes are drawn to cities where rodents, their primary food source, are abundant, particularly near accumulated waste. Jović stated that smooth snakes typically only attack when they feel threatened, such as during an accidental encounter or an attempt to catch them. While the bite itself is not toxic, medical attention may still be necessary to prevent wound infection.