Watch your step – poisonous snakes have been spotted slithering across the UK.
While you hear stories from Down Under of spiders the size of your head and eight-foot tall fighting machines hopping around gardens, we’re pretty lucky in the UK in that none of our animals are trying to kill us. That does not mean, however, that there are no dangerous species lurking in our woods and marshes.
Okay, let’s be clear: there are no rattlesnakes or cobras sliding their way through Britain. In fact, there are no new snakes here at all, but our native species is on the rise at the moment, causing experts to issue warnings about their increased populations in the south of England.
Here’s everything you need to know about the recent rise in adder sightings across the UK.
What snakes have been spotted?
There are only three snakes which are native to the UK, and only one of them is venomous in any way.
The adder (sometimes referred to as the common European viper) is currently out of hibernation. It usually rests between October and February, and sightings tend to peak around June, July, and August.
Recent sightings have been reported in St Ives and South Wales, with the latter police force issuing an official statement urging dog-walkers to keep their pets on leads in woodland and moorland areas.
How can I recognise an adder?
Adders are less common than grass snakes, a non-venomous species. They come in a few different colours – males are usually silver and females tend to be more reddish-brown – but they can be identified by their distinctive zig-zag patterned scales., They are quite small, less than a metre in length, and prefer to reside in long-grass, or wooded habitats. Conversely, grass snakes are longer and yellow/black.
If you spot a snake and are unsure which kind it is, it’s always a good idea to just stay clear.
Are they dangerous?
Whilst adders are poisonous, their venom is usually not deadly for humans, or even for dogs. To put it into perspective, there are thought to have been about 14 human deaths following a bite from an adder in the past 150 years, with the last being a five-year-old in 1975.
However, their bites can cause severe discomfort or even hospitalisation, so they’re not something to seek out. Luckily, the snakes are very shy and tend to only bite when trod on or confronted, so as long as you watch your feet when walking in long grass, you should be good to go.
Official advice from the Wildlife Trust is; ‘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.’
The main thing to take notice of in adder-heavy areas is your dog.
What should I do if my dog is bitten by an adder?
Dogs generally survive bites, but smaller species could be in serious trouble if they try to tussle with a serpent. The People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) has in depth information on what to do should your pooch be bitten, but the very short version is: do not wrap up the wound, and get them to a vet ASAP.
You can read more details on how to treat a bitten dog here.
Do you get adders in urban areas or cities?
While the snakes prefer more pastoral scenery, it’s not unheard of for them to settle into tall grass in city parks, and there have even been recent reports of adders in London. You can read more about the slithering community in the capital here.
Did you see that 7 British cities have cracked a new ranking of the world’s top 100?
Plus: Two legendary Scottish cities are among the 100 most walkable in the world right now.
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