Birth of an adder

[Albus Culter]

How amazing is that

Never seen one in the flesh. Bet that was a once in a lifetime encounter

 

[Balloonatic]

Just beautiful!

 

[Big Stu 12]

Great shoots Mate , something not seen by many, your very privileged to see that.. thank for sharing

 

[Darkwoodecho]

What a privilege and how fortunate with the camera, stunning, buy a lottery ticket

 

[Toddy]

That's the kind of good fortune that sticks with you Right place, right time, right mindset

Thank you so much for sharing such very special event

cheers,
Toddy

 

[dwardo]

Amazing shots thanks for posting them. Still yet to see an adder in the wild

 

[ex-member BareThrills]

cracking pics mate. you are a lucky lucky man. What will the lotto numbers be on saturday????

 

[Mouse040]

Such a humbling experience

 

[daveO]

Nature is amazing... and a bit gross.

So would that newborn still have the same venom levels as the adult?

 

[rik_uk3]

Lovely photo's well done.

 

[Shewie]

Well captured indeed

Do baby snakes fend for themselves or will mum be around to feed and raise it?

 

[Passer]

Stunning pics, a case of right man, right place
How highly do you rank these pics on a personal level.

 

[Grooveski]

Thanks for that, grinning so hard my cheeks hurt a bit.
What a lovely moment to catch.

 

[Harvestman]

If I multi-quote we will be here all week, so...

Thanks to everyone who has posted so far. I'm glad my good fortune has been enjoyed by so many other people. Absolutely a once in a lifetime experience, and it absolutely blew my mind. I still can't believe I was that lucky, and had the camera with me as well.

For those that asked, the little snakes (snakelets? snakelings?) are fully independent of mum as soon as they are born, and she leaves them to fend for themselves. I was hoping Jonathan D would drop by and tell us all more, since snakes don't really have enough legs to be my area of expertise.

I bet if I go back there for the next year or so I won't even see an adder. The site is really densely vegetated, and this was one of only a few patches of more exposed ground. On the other hand, adders like to bask, so now I know where to look.

 

[HHazeldean]

Thats fantastic, seems very lucky to chance upon something like that! Do they only give birth to a single youngster (adderling ??) a year then?

 

[Harvestman]

Thats fantastic, seems very lucky to chance upon something like that! Do they only give birth to a single youngster (adderling ??) a year then?

Typically more than one I believe, but having been disturbed the female would have wanted to seek a bit of shelter before producing another. There is nothing to suggest that the one I saw was the first baby, as they can disappear into the vegetation pretty quickly. We need Jon to tell us how many babies is typical, and how long it takes, although I could probably find out too if I look it up.

Got to say, I am so proud of these pictures, just because I saw it.

 

[Earthgirl]

That is priceless
My heart would have skipped a few beats...

 

[JMHAZ]

Those are really beautiful photos.

Here in the U.S., some rattlesnakes (which also give birth to live young) are known to practice rudimentary parental care. But the young are soon entirely on their own.

 

[Harvestman]

Here's some basic information about adders
http://www.herpetofauna.co.uk/adder.htm

Looks like baby could have been one of several maybe as many as 8.

 

[greensurfingbear]

Wow HM cracking pics. Totally envious! I would try send them pics to some outdoorsy mags as I've no doubt they'd be interested! I'd certainly like to have them as part of a reptile display at work!!


Orric