The snake that Adder-nough

[santaman2000]

.....That's an interesting observation santaman. It almost makes you think of them as creatures with individual personality traits but I suppose that would be unlikely as I guess they don't learn patterns of behavior like people do. Perhaps one day the same snake that slithers off to hide might be the same one that comes to chase your boat off the next day?

To be honest, I really don't know.

 

[JonathanD]

Is this territorial behavior Jonathan or will they go out of their way to strike at cattle and humans?



That's an interesting observation santaman. It almost makes you think of them as creatures with individual personality traits but I suppose that would be unlikely as I guess they don't learn patterns of behavior like people do. Perhaps one day the same snake that slithers off to hide might be the same one that comes to chase your boat off the next day?

They don't have territorial behaviour as such, except maybe two species of elapids - the Black mamba and King cobra.

Different individuals can have different traits. I've known some individuals in the same clutch show different levels of aggression from birth. That particular level stops with that individual throughout their lives despite being handled regularly.

 

[SoggyBiscuit]

They don't have territorial behaviour as such, except maybe two species of elapids - the Black mamba and King cobra.

Different individuals can have different traits. I've known some individuals in the same clutch show different levels of aggression from birth. That particular level stops with that individual throughout their lives despite being handled regularly.

It sounds like they are way more complex creatures than I assumed them to be. As far as Adders go are there any statistics on the number of dogs or farm animals they bite in the U.K? Probably coincidence but I once found a freshly dead lamb less than a stones throw from a spot where I had seen an Adder. I examined the body for any sort of clues as to why it had died but there were no injuries that would indicate a predator attack. I guessed it was most likely due to natural causes but it did cross my mind that it may have trodden on an adder.

 

[JonathanD]

There are statistics out there, but they aren't accurate as many go unreported and there isn't really a central body that collates the data.

Adders are easily capable of doing a sheep in. Lambs would be even more susceptible. Adders have a very complicated and potent venom. Recently found to contain cytotoxins and neurotoxins. A nasty cocktail of venom proteins.

 

[santaman2000]

Speaking of handling snakes, here's a couple. The first video shows a walker upon finding a Bullsnake with a Hawk: http://youtu.be/hV0cMf61urs

And next is a professional showing the similarities between Bullsnakes and Rattlesnakes (Prairie rattler) http://youtu.be/qFcQSA3bgvk