Common European Adder
As part of the countdown to TAFU’s Local Wildlife Day on the 11th of July – Species no. 27.
Stay tuned – 16 more days and 16 more species until then!
The Common European Adder (Vipera berus), also known as the Common European Viper, is a small, venomous snake native to Europe and parts of Asia, and is the only venomous snake in the UK. It is easily identifiable by its dark, zigzag pattern running down its back, and it can vary in colour from grey or brown to black. Adults typically measure between 60 to 80 cm in length.
These adders are highly adaptable and inhabit a wide range of environments, including grasslands, heathlands, woodlands, and even coastal dunes. They are primarily diurnal, basking in the sun to regulate their body temperature, but may also be active in the evening or night during warmer periods. Adders are solitary creatures, coming together only during the breeding season and hibernation.
Adders play an essential role in the ecosystem by controlling populations of small mammals, birds, lizards, and amphibians, which make up their diet. They are ovoviviparous, hence they produce eggs that hatch inside the female’s body, giving birth to live young, with females typically breeding once every two to three years. Litters usually consist of 5 to 20 young, born in late summer to early autumn, and the young are 17cm at birth.
Despite their venomous nature, adders are not aggressive and will bite only when threatened or provoked. Their venom, while painful, is rarely fatal to humans but can cause significant discomfort and requires medical attention, especially in the case of bites to children or pets.
They are listed as vulnerable in the UK, with populations declining due to habitat loss, fragmentation, and human disturbances. Conservation efforts include protecting their natural habitats, reducing public pressure, and increasing awareness about their ecological importance and non-aggressive nature.
We can all create and maintain natural habitats, avoid disturbing known adder sites, participate in citizen science projects like “Make the Adder Count”, which can help to provide long-term surveillance data.
