Adder - Near miss with first adder of the year...

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Near miss with first adder of the year...

Printed From: Reptiles and Amphibians of the UK
Category: Herpetofauna Native to the UK
Forum Name: Adder
Forum Description: Forum for all issues concerning Vipera berus
URL: http://www.herpetofauna.co.uk/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4758
Printed Date: 23 Apr 2024 at 7:04pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.06 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Near miss with first adder of the year...

Posted By: David Sanderson
Subject: Near miss with first adder of the year...
Date Posted: 17 May 2014 at 8:50pm

With the sun cracking the flags I managed to convince my wife to accompany me on a little trip from the Wirral into North Wales looking for an adder.

We headed for a spot that I visit very regularly not too far from Wrexham - and while my wife chilled by a reservoir I headed into the undergrowth/heathland.

So as I'm casually walking through the heath looking 10-15 feet ahead of me - I virtually stepped on a large male adder. I don't know which of us was more surprised! The colour on the snake was amazing - it must have just shed as it was bright white (almost blue). The other thing that was amazing was the speed that it moved - like I say I virtually stepped on it and in its haste to escape it looked like it jumped onto the top of the heather!

The best bit of this was - I was so shocked that my heart was pounding - so much so that I didn't notice that a passerbys dog had come to investigate me and I was suddenly confronted with a large friendly labrador! My profanity was so loud I had to offer my apologies to the dog owners family!

A very successful trip - despite no photo - nice to be able to find adders on my door step.

Replies:

Posted By: Tom Omlette
Date Posted: 18 May 2014 at 4:23pm

well done dave. you should drop dave fixx on here a message if its north wales reptiles you're after. i'm sure he'll be glad to help out.

tom