Latest news with #SmoothSnake
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).
Glasgow Times
19-05-2025
- General
- Glasgow Times
Smooth Snake: The rarest and smallest snake in the UK
There are three snake species native to the UK: Adder Grass Snake Smooth Snake The Adder is the only venomous species in the UK, the Grass Snake is the longest and can swim underwater, while the Smooth Snake claims the title of the rarest. Native wild animals in the UK The rarest snake in the UK Smooth Snakes are the least widespread across the UK, according to the RSPCA, localised to "isolated pockets" in the south of England, mainly found in heath habitats. Not only is it the rarest of all UK snake species, but it is also the smallest, only growing to around 55cm in length. The RSPCA added: "They're typically a greyish brown in colour, have a dark stripe down the side of their face, a heart-shaped pattern on their head and a pattern of spots and bars along their back!" Smooth Snakes are also the smallest in the UK, only growing up to 55cm in length. (Image: Getty Images) Where to find smooth snakes in the UK Smooth Snakes are "shy and incredibly scarce", according to the RSPB. The wildlife experts continued: "They're heathland specialists, but their habitats were historically repurposed at scale for commercial forestry and development." Smooth Snakes can now only be found in isolated pockets of: Dorset Devon Hampshire Surrey West Sussex They are highly dependent on nature reserves and managed sites, including RSPB Arne. RECOMMENDED READING: Are Smooth Snakes dangerous? Smooth Snakes are not identified as dangerous. The adder is the only venomous snake species you will find in the UK.
Powys County Times
19-05-2025
- General
- Powys County Times
Smooth Snake: The rarest and smallest snake in the UK
Snakes can be found all over the country in various habitats. But there is one species native to the UK whose numbers are "incredibly scarce", making it the rarest of them all. There are three snake species native to the UK: Adder Grass Snake Smooth Snake The Adder is the only venomous species in the UK, the Grass Snake is the longest and can swim underwater, while the Smooth Snake claims the title of the rarest. Native wild animals in the UK The rarest snake in the UK Smooth Snakes are the least widespread across the UK, according to the RSPCA, localised to "isolated pockets" in the south of England, mainly found in heath habitats. Not only is it the rarest of all UK snake species, but it is also the smallest, only growing to around 55cm in length. The RSPCA added: "They're typically a greyish brown in colour, have a dark stripe down the side of their face, a heart-shaped pattern on their head and a pattern of spots and bars along their back!" Where to find smooth snakes in the UK Smooth Snakes are "shy and incredibly scarce", according to the RSPB. The wildlife experts continued: "They're heathland specialists, but their habitats were historically repurposed at scale for commercial forestry and development." Smooth Snakes can now only be found in isolated pockets of: Dorset Devon Hampshire Surrey West Sussex They are highly dependent on nature reserves and managed sites, including RSPB Arne. Are Smooth Snakes dangerous? Smooth Snakes are not identified as dangerous.
Rhyl Journal
18-05-2025
- Science
- Rhyl Journal
Smooth Snake: The rarest and smallest snake in the UK
There are three snake species native to the UK: The Adder is the only venomous species in the UK, the Grass Snake is the longest and can swim underwater, while the Smooth Snake claims the title of the rarest. Smooth Snakes are the least widespread across the UK, according to the RSPCA, localised to "isolated pockets" in the south of England, mainly found in heath habitats. Not only is it the rarest of all UK snake species, but it is also the smallest, only growing to around 55cm in length. The RSPCA added: "They're typically a greyish brown in colour, have a dark stripe down the side of their face, a heart-shaped pattern on their head and a pattern of spots and bars along their back!" Smooth Snakes are also the smallest in the UK, only growing up to 55cm in length. (Image: Getty Images) Smooth Snakes are "shy and incredibly scarce", according to the RSPB. The wildlife experts continued: "They're heathland specialists, but their habitats were historically repurposed at scale for commercial forestry and development." Smooth Snakes can now only be found in isolated pockets of: They are highly dependent on nature reserves and managed sites, including RSPB Arne. RECOMMENDED READING: The UK's only venomous snake that is described as 'very shy' but 'dangerous' Smooth Snakes are not identified as dangerous. The adder is the only venomous snake species you will find in the UK.
South Wales Guardian
18-05-2025
- Science
- South Wales Guardian
Smooth Snake: The rarest and smallest snake in the UK
There are three snake species native to the UK: The Adder is the only venomous species in the UK, the Grass Snake is the longest and can swim underwater, while the Smooth Snake claims the title of the rarest. Smooth Snakes are the least widespread across the UK, according to the RSPCA, localised to "isolated pockets" in the south of England, mainly found in heath habitats. Not only is it the rarest of all UK snake species, but it is also the smallest, only growing to around 55cm in length. The RSPCA added: "They're typically a greyish brown in colour, have a dark stripe down the side of their face, a heart-shaped pattern on their head and a pattern of spots and bars along their back!" Smooth Snakes are also the smallest in the UK, only growing up to 55cm in length. (Image: Getty Images) Smooth Snakes are "shy and incredibly scarce", according to the RSPB. The wildlife experts continued: "They're heathland specialists, but their habitats were historically repurposed at scale for commercial forestry and development." Smooth Snakes can now only be found in isolated pockets of: They are highly dependent on nature reserves and managed sites, including RSPB Arne. RECOMMENDED READING: The UK's only venomous snake that is described as 'very shy' but 'dangerous' Smooth Snakes are not identified as dangerous. The adder is the only venomous snake species you will find in the UK.
