Adder
Adders are widespread throughout mainland UK but they are absent from Ireland. They occur throughout Europe, with the exception of the Mediterranean islands, and across Russia and Asia through to northern China. They are the UK's only venomous reptile.
Adders are relatively short and robust snakes with large heads and a rounded snout. Males are usually a grey or buff colour with vivid black markings although they can also vary from silver to yellow or green in colour. Females are brown with dark red-brown markings that are less prominent than in the males. Both sexes have a zigzag pattern running along the back with a / or X-shaped marking at the rear of the head.
Adders can be found in a variety of habitats, including open woodland, hedgerows, moorland, sand dunes, riverbanks, bogs, heathland and mountains. They are active during the day and spend time basking until their body temperature is high enough to hunt for food. Adders use venom to immobilise prey such as lizards, amphibians, nestlings and small mammals. After striking their prey, they will leave the venom to take effect before following the victim’s scent to find the body.
Mating takes place between April and May with males often fighting for females. Females have a 3 to 4 month gestation period and Adders are one of the few snakes that are viviparous (give birth to live young). In late August females give birth to between 5 and 20 live young and the young remain close to their mother for a few days before going off in search of food.
Adders hibernate from September to March often using deserted rabbit or rodent burrows or settling under logs. They sometimes hibernate communally. Males emerge 2 to 5 weeks before the females and shed their skin before setting off in search of females.
Adders are not aggressive snakes and they will only attack if harassed or threatened. Although an Adder’s venom poses little danger to a healthy adult, the bite is very painful and requires urgent medical attention.
Date: 8th April 2007
Location: Langdon Conservation Centre, Dunton, Essex
Adders are relatively short and robust snakes with large heads and a rounded snout. Males are usually a grey or buff colour with vivid black markings although they can also vary from silver to yellow or green in colour. Females are brown with dark red-brown markings that are less prominent than in the males. Both sexes have a zigzag pattern running along the back with a / or X-shaped marking at the rear of the head.
Adders can be found in a variety of habitats, including open woodland, hedgerows, moorland, sand dunes, riverbanks, bogs, heathland and mountains. They are active during the day and spend time basking until their body temperature is high enough to hunt for food. Adders use venom to immobilise prey such as lizards, amphibians, nestlings and small mammals. After striking their prey, they will leave the venom to take effect before following the victim’s scent to find the body.
Mating takes place between April and May with males often fighting for females. Females have a 3 to 4 month gestation period and Adders are one of the few snakes that are viviparous (give birth to live young). In late August females give birth to between 5 and 20 live young and the young remain close to their mother for a few days before going off in search of food.
Adders hibernate from September to March often using deserted rabbit or rodent burrows or settling under logs. They sometimes hibernate communally. Males emerge 2 to 5 weeks before the females and shed their skin before setting off in search of females.
Adders are not aggressive snakes and they will only attack if harassed or threatened. Although an Adder’s venom poses little danger to a healthy adult, the bite is very painful and requires urgent medical attention.
Date: 8th April 2007
Location: Langdon Conservation Centre, Dunton, Essex
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