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Text and photographs protected by Copyright © Adrian Hoskins 2007, and must not be published in part or in whole elsewhere without prior written permission from the author.
Butterfly Predators
 
The Adder
Vipera berus  LINNAEUS, 1758
Family - VIPERIDAE
subfamily - VIPERINAE
 
The Adder in the photo below seems to be taking an interest in the caterpillar on the stem. When young, they commonly eat caterpillars, beetles, worms and spiders, but fully grown adults such as this one are only interested in larger prey such as mice, voles, shrews, lizards, frogs and slow worms.
 
This beautiful creature is sadly becoming a rarity in Britain - partly as a result of habitat loss, which reduces the populations of it's prey, but also because of persecution by ill-informed individuals who believe it is dangerous and try to eradicate it.
 
In fact it is a very timid creature, and cases of attack on humans are extremely rare. The animal's instinctive reaction to human presence is to instantly slither away to a place of refuge, and it will only bite if you try to pick it up, or step on it bare-footed.
 
Adder, Vipera berus - Britain's only venomous snake

Adders inhabit dry, sheltered and sunny sites which include woodland clearings, river-banks, heaths, sand dunes and grasslands throughout Britain and Europe.

They can be recognised by the distinctive dark zigzag banding along the back, and the V shaped mark behind the head. Males are silvery or pale brown with contrasting markings, whereas females are duller and less conspicuously marked. Males grow to a maximum of about 60cms in length, while females can reach 80cms or more.

In spring, after awakening from hibernation they can be found basking on logs, or in depressions in the ground, typically close to bushes.

The snakes become sexually mature at the age of 3 or 4 years, and can live for up to 15 years. Mating takes place in April and May, after a complex pre-nuptial ritual involving a great deal of side by side flowing movement, tail vibrations and body quivering. In early September the young are born live. Between 3 - 20 are born in each litter, and the young snakes are independent from birth.

Often tiny Adders, no more than 3 or 4 inches in length, can be found in early spring by searching woodland banks, railway cuttings and similar sheltered habitats. Although very small, they already have full venom sacs, so should not be handled.

Adders hunt chiefly by day. When hunting they continually flicker their forked tongues, with which they detect the scent of their prey. The quarry is bitten, and venom flows from the snake's hollow fangs and enters the victim's bloodstream. The venom contains a heart depressant which rapidly kills the prey which is swallowed whole. The meal is slowly digested, and usually provides enough nourishment to enable the snake to live for about 7-10 days before it needs to feed again.

The bite of an adder is very painful, but very rarely causes death or hospitalisation of humans. The snakes do not attack humans unless severely provoked - most victims of bites are over-adventurous teenagers trying to be "clever" by picking them up. Pet dogs are also occasionally bitten, but the effect is rarely fatal provided that they receive immediate veterinary treatment. If concerned, keep your pet on a lead, and do not let it roam in habitats known to contain adders !

 
Text and photographs protected by Copyright © Adrian Hoskins 2007-2008, and must not be reproduced or published in part or in whole elsewhere in any form without written permission from Adrian Hoskins. Breach of copyright will be pursued by litigation.
 
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