Encounters with an Adder
I have always been keen to spot an adder, or two!
I grew up in east Cornwall and moved to west Cornwall about 10 years ago. And since moving west I have been keen to spot an adder on our travels. Why? Just because not seeing one made me want to find one even more.
I live near the coast with my wife and two boys, and we love to explore where we live at every opportunity. We have woods to walk in, hills with views for miles and a coastline that seems never ending. Our favourite places to visit are the stunning coves and beaches we have on our doorstep. We regularly find new spots to hike to, carrying lunch in our backpack and searching out wildlife and plants as we head to our destination. I like to spot new things as we walk, especially foods to forage or unusual animals to tick off on my list of things to see.
Every visit to our local beach and dunes had me looking for adders. The adder (vipera berus) is the UK’s only venomous snake, and one of only three native to these shores, the other two being the grass snake and smooth snake (we also have slow worms but these are classed as legless lizards if we are being pedantic). These reclusive reptiles like nothing more than to warm themselves in the sun this time of year, so spotting one is more likely, if you tread lightly.
Eyes peeled for their distinct black diamond pattern as they basked in the sunshine. But with two loud and energetic children in tow, the likelihood of a sighting was always rare.
My hunt for the elusive adder (or viper) finally yielded success this past easter break. I was thrilled! More than thrilled, I was ecstatic (my wife will attest to this!)
On this occasion, I spied not one but two adders. Like buses, you wait all day for one then two come along at once! I stopped in my tracks and called over the boys and Cherie to take a closer look before the snakes slithered off. We quietly observed them from the track as they warmed up on the verge, and then within a minute they were gone. Out of sight, into the long grass.
I’m sure I’ll see one again on our adventures, they seem a fascinating, if hard to find creature. But now I’ve got two more species to track down – the grass snake and smooth snake, so I’ll be even more alert from now on!"
Alex
