Birth of an adder

[Harvestman]

I was invited by some colleagues to visit the site of Llanmelin Hillfort, in Monmouthshire, with a view to seeing what spiders I could find. The site was a hidden gem, which I had driven past many times without realising it was there, as it is completely enclosed by trees.

As I was wandering along one of the hillfort ridges, I spotted an adder. This was delightful as I had only previously seen adders twice. She was close enough that I would have stepped on her in another stride, and I wondered why she hadn't moved away at my approach, so I looked closer.

She was giving birth! No wonder she couldn't move. Not everyone realises that adders (and several other snakes) give birth to live young. This female was at least 2 feet long by my estimate, although I couldn't see her head.

Baby got his head free and had a first look at the world.

Mum clearly knew I was there, because as soon as baby was free, she slid off into the undergrowth, leaving me to admire youngster for a bit longer.

Junior stayed put for a while before slipping out of the birth membranes and into the grass. It was a wonderful encounter for me and I just had to share it.

 

[Niels]

That's cool I've only seen an adder once in France. Beautiful animal.

 

[Mesquite]

Result there HM... some cracking shots of it as well

Shame you've already done your entry into this months photo comp, it would have been a real contender

 

[Harvestman]

Niels, I'm starting to think you are stalking me! You almost always post first on my new threads, usually within a minute or so!

You are making me nervous


Seriously, thanks for the comments

 

[Harvestman]

Result there HM... some cracking shots of it as well

Shame you've already done your entry into this months photo comp, it would have been a real contender

yeah, I thought that. My otter picture was a bit spur of the moment.

 

[Niels]

Niels, I'm starting to think you are stalking me! You almost always post first on my new threads, usually within a minute or so!

You are making me nervous

It's your fault. Each time I go and look at the new threads, you immediately post a new one!

 

[spandit]

That's one of the most incredible photos I've seen - I don't think I've ever seen an adder, let alone one giving birth!

 

[sandbender]

Brilliant!

 

[copper_head]

Wow what a picture!

 

[crosslandkelly]

What a great set of pics. That must be an increasingly rare opportunity.

 

[Harvestman]

I really wanted to pick the baby up and hold it, but I didn't want to risk stressing or damaging it, or any possibility that my sweat etc would harm it, so I left it alone. Best to be safe. I love the last picture best. That baby snake had been born about a minute previously, but it looks determined and purposeful. Obviously one day it will be a large and fearsome adder, the terror of the grasses

 

[Arya]

Wow! What a capture! :-D

 

[HillBill]

Great stuff

 

[Globetrotter.uk]

Fabulous photo's well done

Sent from my KFTT using Tapatalk 2

 

[Macaroon]

Absolute stunner! I'd consider a photo like that to be a once-in-a-lifetime thing had I been fortunate enough to witness the event; for most, I suspect, the event alone would be never to b e forgotten..............

Very well done indeed to have the presence of mind to have got such good pictures, and thanks for sharing.............atb mac

 

[Man of Tanith]

Talk about right place at right time.
That's an excellent picture and definately not something i have seen before

 

[mountainm]

Amazing stuff!

 

[chimpy leon]

I cant imagine how lucky you must have to be to witness this take place in the wild... And to have a camera with you!

Brilliant pictures they are too.

 

[Stringmaker]

I have to say that I don't do snakes, but talk about a very rare treat to see that!

 

[Uilleachan]

Adders aren't a beast we come across everyday, that's a special event to witness, even rarer to photograph it. Fantastic, and thanks for sharing.