Latest news with #Adder
South Wales Guardian
3 days ago
- Science
- South Wales Guardian
Rare venomous black adder spotted in the UK
There are three snake species native to the UK, with the adder being the only venomous one. Adders, which can grow up to 80cm in length, are recognisable due to their "distinctive" zig-zag pattern and "striking" red eyes and can be found across the country. Usually they are "greyish" in colour, The Wildlife Trusts explains. However, Black (melanistic) forms are sometimes spotted in the UK. A walker in Dartmoor experienced a "surreal" moment recently when he stumbled across a "rare" black adder. Posting a picture on the Facebook page Dartmoor Public Group, the person said: "A surreal moment to stumble upon a gorgeous melanistic (black) adder this afternoon. "These are rare, and this is only the second one I've ever seen, but most people have probably not encountered an adder of this colour shade before... so I am lucky to have now seen two up to this date." Adders are the only venomous snake species native to the UK. (Image: Getty Images) An adder bite can be "painful" and cause inflammation, BBC Countryfile explains. The wildlife experts added: "But [it] is really only dangerous to the very young, ill or old." Other symptoms of an adder bite can include: Adders are described as being "very shy" and in most cases they will hide when they hear people approaching. BBC Countryfile said: "They tend to bite only when stepped on, or if panicked at close range." RECOMMENDED READING: How to tell the difference between adders, grass snakes and smooth snakes? Where to find snakes in the UK including the venomous Adder and rare Smooth Snake The 'adaptable' snake that is the UK's longest and can swim underwater 'Shy and incredibly scarce' snake that is rarest in the UK and where to find it While not typically life-threatening, there have been 55 fatalities attributed to adder bites in the UK since 1722, according to the Surrey Amphibian and Reptile Group. The most recent death from an adder bite was recorded in June 1975 in Trussachs, Perthshire (Scotland).
Western Telegraph
22-05-2025
- Health
- Western Telegraph
Urgent warning issued over venomous snake sightings
New footage emerged yesterday of the poisonous reptile slithering around on a mountain in Wales on Wednesday morning. Hiker Lorraine Flower spotted the large adder while out walking on the Blorenge mountain, in Monmouthshire, Wales. Two days earlier, South Wales Police said they had seen a rise in Adder sightings and urged dog walkers to keep their pets on a lead. The snake also gave beachgoers a jump scare in Anglesey last month. On Adder fell onto rocks and began swimming at Porth Wen near Llanbadrig on the Anglesey coast. "I was just standing on the beach when I saw it fall down from the undergrowth overhanging a small cliff,' Lewis Perrin Williams, a hiker, said. "That's how it ended up on the beach – I think he might've been a bit sleepy. I found a plank and took him back up to the undergrowth." Susan Roux saw an adder slithering in tall grass near St Ives in Cornwall earlier this week. Adders are the UK's only venomous snake in the UK, often found in basking in woodland glades and on heathlands. They can live up to 15 years and measure up to 80 cm in length. The Wildlife Trusts said: "The Adder is the UK's only venomous snake but its venom is generally of little danger to humans. Recommended reading: "An adder bite can be painful and cause inflammation, but is really only dangerous to the very young, ill or old. "If bitten, medical attention should be sought immediately. "Adders are secretive animals and prefer to slither off into the undergrowth rather than confront and bite humans and domestic animals – most attacks happen when they are trodden on or picked up. "Instead, they use their venom to immobilise and kill their prey of small mammals, nestlings and lizards."
Leader Live
18-05-2025
- Health
- Leader Live
Urgent warning issued over venomous snake sightings
New footage emerged yesterday of the poisonous reptile slithering around on a mountain in Wales on Wednesday morning. Hiker Lorraine Flower spotted the large adder while out walking on the Blorenge mountain, in Monmouthshire, Wales. Two days earlier, South Wales Police said they had seen a rise in Adder sightings and urged dog walkers to keep their pets on a lead. The snake also gave beachgoers a jump scare in Anglesey last month. On Adder fell onto rocks and began swimming at Porth Wen near Llanbadrig on the Anglesey coast. "I was just standing on the beach when I saw it fall down from the undergrowth overhanging a small cliff,' Lewis Perrin Williams, a hiker, said. "That's how it ended up on the beach – I think he might've been a bit sleepy. I found a plank and took him back up to the undergrowth." Susan Roux saw an adder slithering in tall grass near St Ives in Cornwall earlier this week. Adders are the UK's only venomous snake in the UK, often found in basking in woodland glades and on heathlands. They can live up to 15 years and measure up to 80 cm in length. The Wildlife Trusts said: "The Adder is the UK's only venomous snake but its venom is generally of little danger to humans. Recommended reading: "An adder bite can be painful and cause inflammation, but is really only dangerous to the very young, ill or old. "If bitten, medical attention should be sought immediately. "Adders are secretive animals and prefer to slither off into the undergrowth rather than confront and bite humans and domestic animals – most attacks happen when they are trodden on or picked up. "Instead, they use their venom to immobilise and kill their prey of small mammals, nestlings and lizards."
South Wales Guardian
17-05-2025
- Health
- South Wales Guardian
Urgent warning issued over venomous snake sightings
New footage emerged yesterday of the poisonous reptile slithering around on a mountain in Wales on Wednesday morning. Hiker Lorraine Flower spotted the large adder while out walking on the Blorenge mountain, in Monmouthshire, Wales. Two days earlier, South Wales Police said they had seen a rise in Adder sightings and urged dog walkers to keep their pets on a lead. The snake also gave beachgoers a jump scare in Anglesey last month. On Adder fell onto rocks and began swimming at Porth Wen near Llanbadrig on the Anglesey coast. "I was just standing on the beach when I saw it fall down from the undergrowth overhanging a small cliff,' Lewis Perrin Williams, a hiker, said. "That's how it ended up on the beach – I think he might've been a bit sleepy. I found a plank and took him back up to the undergrowth." Susan Roux saw an adder slithering in tall grass near St Ives in Cornwall earlier this week. Adders are the UK's only venomous snake in the UK, often found in basking in woodland glades and on heathlands. They can live up to 15 years and measure up to 80 cm in length. The Wildlife Trusts said: "The Adder is the UK's only venomous snake but its venom is generally of little danger to humans. Recommended reading: "An adder bite can be painful and cause inflammation, but is really only dangerous to the very young, ill or old. "If bitten, medical attention should be sought immediately. "Adders are secretive animals and prefer to slither off into the undergrowth rather than confront and bite humans and domestic animals – most attacks happen when they are trodden on or picked up. "Instead, they use their venom to immobilise and kill their prey of small mammals, nestlings and lizards."
Rhyl Journal
17-05-2025
- Health
- Rhyl Journal
Urgent warning issued over venomous snake sightings
New footage emerged yesterday of the poisonous reptile slithering around on a mountain in Wales on Wednesday morning. Hiker Lorraine Flower spotted the large adder while out walking on the Blorenge mountain, in Monmouthshire, Wales. Two days earlier, South Wales Police said they had seen a rise in Adder sightings and urged dog walkers to keep their pets on a lead. The snake also gave beachgoers a jump scare in Anglesey last month. On Adder fell onto rocks and began swimming at Porth Wen near Llanbadrig on the Anglesey coast. "I was just standing on the beach when I saw it fall down from the undergrowth overhanging a small cliff,' Lewis Perrin Williams, a hiker, said. "That's how it ended up on the beach – I think he might've been a bit sleepy. I found a plank and took him back up to the undergrowth." Susan Roux saw an adder slithering in tall grass near St Ives in Cornwall earlier this week. Adders are the UK's only venomous snake in the UK, often found in basking in woodland glades and on heathlands. They can live up to 15 years and measure up to 80 cm in length. The Wildlife Trusts said: "The Adder is the UK's only venomous snake but its venom is generally of little danger to humans. Recommended reading: "An adder bite can be painful and cause inflammation, but is really only dangerous to the very young, ill or old. "If bitten, medical attention should be sought immediately. "Adders are secretive animals and prefer to slither off into the undergrowth rather than confront and bite humans and domestic animals – most attacks happen when they are trodden on or picked up. "Instead, they use their venom to immobilise and kill their prey of small mammals, nestlings and lizards."
