Author Topic: Adders? (Read 6740 times)

ramon · « **on:** March 02, 2016, 11:02:49 pm »

I was reading another post about a sheep with a swollen head This reminded me of similar symptoms I'd seen very occasionally when younger and which were attributed to adder bites. 30 years ago adders were common and seen quite frequently. What has happened to adder populations? I am now living more or less in the same area I did 30 years ago but the adders seem to have gone. Does anyone live in areas where adders are still thriving?

Steph Hen · « **Reply #1 on:** March 03, 2016, 07:25:16 am »

They mostly like lowland heathland, although can live in bogstandard farmland, they are not meant to be as happy in short, grazed grassland and arable land if largely not suitable. Heather and bracken is where they do best today, but they can live elsewhere and certainly if there's a good population in an area of heathland, it will export some animals onto surrounding areas.

MAK · « **Reply #2 on:** March 03, 2016, 08:11:13 am »

Yes- i have seen a few on the verges of an overgrown area near a barn and one that was making its way across the lane lunged out to bit the front of my car. We keep the grandchildren away from the area as we are reluctant to destroy their habitat.
We have other snakes that seem to live between the cracks of a south facing barn wall in the same area. Shame they don't venture across 20 feet of grass to eat the mice that enjoy my veg plot though.

Marches Farmer · « **Reply #3 on:** March 03, 2016, 09:04:58 am »

We have them on the farm, where they live in the dry banks under an ancient hedge and probably eat many bank voles. They've disappeared from the neighbouring commonland due to predation by buzzards.

Buttermilk · « **Reply #4 on:** March 03, 2016, 09:21:00 am »

They are about on common land not far from here. The neighbour had them in her compost bins last year.

Hellybee · « **Reply #5 on:** March 03, 2016, 09:22:25 am »

Had a filly bit on the head years ago, she's still here, none the worse for wear. West Wales.

ramon · « **Reply #6 on:** March 03, 2016, 09:36:06 am »

Buzzards could be the problem. 30 years ago they were not very common but now they are found everywhere, as are red kites. Land use hasn't changed much so their (adder) habitat still remains. Adder bites were rare do I do remember a cat that also got bitten. The cat survived as did the sheep.

harmony · « **Reply #7 on:** March 03, 2016, 09:38:09 am »

We have adders on our commons. I see them every year but only now and again.

SallyintNorth · « **Reply #8 on:** March 03, 2016, 10:01:07 am »

Quote from: Buttermilk on March 03, 2016, 09:21:00 am

They are about on common land not far from here. The neighbour had them in her compost bins last year.

I've heard of - and seen - grass snakes in compost; they like the warmth to lay their eggs in. But I've not heard of adders in compost before.

Bramblecot · « **Reply #9 on:** March 03, 2016, 05:08:05 pm »

Very common round here especially on the cliffs and golf course. Signs up warning folk to keep their dogs out of the long grass but dogs are regularly bitten in the summer and the local vets always keep a stock of antidote. A neighbour looked up from reading her book to find one under her sun lounger