Watch out Watch out
- Thread starter JonathanD
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The only time ive ever seen a adder was when i was up talbenny near tenby- it was dead on the road 
Is there anywhere they are more common or is it just that their scattered about and i dont look very well?
btw lovely photo
Is there anywhere they are more common or is it just that their scattered about and i dont look very well?
btw lovely photo
iv never seen an adder before i spend most of my time outside and have never seen one disappointing where do i look?
disappointing where do i look?
amazing shot jonathan! are they actually as dangerous as i was led to believe they were when i was a kid?
are they actually as dangerous as i was led to believe they were when i was a kid?
Just as well there are no snakes in Northern Ireland, can't stand them. The only time I came across a snake was when I was about 10 at my Aunt and Uncle's cottage in Canada, I absolutely kakked my pants. Don't know why, but I am scared ****less of them. I'm sure their not as bad as I would think, but still, if i see a snake i will run a mile in the opposite direction.
outdoorpaddy
outdoorpaddy
The venom of the juveniles is just as potent as that of the adults, but there's less of it and their fangs are smaller. They'd be able to inflict great pain but not likely kill an adult human. It's not an aggressive species but they will react if they feel threatened, and when they're warm they can move like lightning.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vipera_berus
You usually don't see them because they'll easily spot you first and disappear. When you watch one slither away it's amazing to see how they blend into their surroundings, even while they're moving.
With most wildlife there are probably a lot more of them around than you think. Most of us don't have the time, the inclination nor the patience to sit quietly and watch. If we did we'd see a lot more of our world than we do.
That's bad news, Jonathan, do you have any numbers for us yet? I've seen the reports of the serious heath fires but I've been consoling myself that they've been on a relatively small scale, at least so far. Maybe we should all be building new compost bins?
Not as yet Ged, but on some locations that have been historically known as strongholds for V. berus populations, the individuals there numbered less than ten or twelve. Obviously such small populations are not sustainable genetically. They are also being isolated to small pockets within large areas of wilderness because of heathland restoration projects and RSPB clearance schemes. Without the ability to travel to other sites and spread the genetic diversity, those small pockets will also be lost very soon. The amount of deformed snakes found is higher than ever.
Heck, what's going on there? They're supposed to do impact assessments in triplicate before they yomp around wrecking habitats. Please tell us more about these projects and schemes, and their impact as you see it. I'm starting to feel the need to ask questions of the people in Sandy.
Yeah - I saw Upton Heath got toasted. I lived nearby in Lytchett Matravers for about a year and arson accounted for at least two burns on Upton Heath while we were there. I read that whole populations of lizards were wiped out but I guess Jonathan can confirm/scotch that rumour.
We don't see any adders up here, as they are sensible where weather is concerned...
We don't see any adders up here, as they are sensible where weather is concerned...
I had an e-mail from the DWT on saturday about it.
A lot of reptiles perished along with nightjar and dartford warbler nesting sites.
Some reptiles have miraculously survived and they're looking for volunteers to assist in rescuing what may be left as there's no cover now so they're vulnerable to predation.
I'm down here now and the devastation is on a huge scale. This heath has all six species of our native reptile including the protected Sand lizards and Smooth snake. It's no exaggeration when I say hundreds must have perished. I can't see the reptiles recovering from this anytime soon. It's like someone nuked the area.
Ged, sadly when it comes to heathland management and restoration, as well as land improvement for birds. Reptiles come last on the list and sometimes, herpetologist surveyors are not even called in to advise. Hyde Heath is a perfect example where the heathland was cleared to make way for scrub. In doing this, they cleared all of the cover used by the reptiles. Eighteen months later the pile of debris is still there. The reptiles aren't
Ged, sadly when it comes to heathland management and restoration, as well as land improvement for birds. Reptiles come last on the list and sometimes, herpetologist surveyors are not even called in to advise. Hyde Heath is a perfect example where the heathland was cleared to make way for scrub. In doing this, they cleared all of the cover used by the reptiles. Eighteen months later the pile of debris is still there. The reptiles aren't
