Dartmoor Adder!!!!
Beauty and the Beast
2009-05-27 08:38:28
We were walking between Holwell Tor and Saddle Tor yesterday whenone of the kids said "there's a snake on the path". I thought he must be mistaken, on walking over, there was an adder, basking in the sun!!!
I told everyone to stay back and asked Beauty to get her camera out, turned it on and the bloomin' batteries were flat!!! I was gutted. We watched it for a few minutes and it slithered off back into the bushes.
I've been walking on the moors for 25 years and have never seen an adder before, it was a great experience, another Dartmoor creature to tick off my list.
Still gutted I didn't get a photo of it though :(
Hi B+B,
The 10 tors team I was training spotted this beauty between Broad Rock and Gt. Gnat's Head. It didn't like me much when I had a look at it and went into kill mode, puffing itself out and hissing :shock:
I don't know if they're getting more common, but I've spotted 3 in the last year. Could just be lucky.
[img="http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg257/foxy43/IMG_0410-1.jpg" alt=""]
Duckpool
2009-05-27 17:57:53
I've seen three juveniles already this year, two of whom virtually slithered over my boots to get away! And last year, for the second time, nearly trod on a sleeping adult curled up in bracken - don't know who would have come off worse!
Duckpool
Mark&Sam
2009-05-27 19:33:29
I saw my first one earlier this year - a rare treat!
Generation Gap
2009-05-28 07:53:41
Hi, all
We saw one adder in our first year of letterboxing (2007) - in fact, we actually stepped over it before we saw it basking in the sun. None last year, but 4 so far this year - and we haven't been out very often.
Thought they were supposed to slither off if they heard someone coming, but a couple this year just sat there even though one of our boots was about an inch away (unintentionally!!).
The following is from a Google search, and may be of help:
The Adder has a wide spread distribution throughout the UK. Usually associated with open heathland in the southern regions, it also often occurs in dense woodland and in particular open areas within wooded regions, where sunny patches occur.
The Adder is the UK's only native venomous snake. Seeing an adder is no cause for alarm, these snakes are very placid and retiring creatures. People are usually only bitten during attempts to catch or handle them.
The venom is rarely fatal, the bite should however be taken seriously, and one should seek prompt medical attention if bitten by an Adder. Symptoms such as dizziness, vomiting and painful swelling and loss of mobility of the affected limb are not uncommon within hours of the bite. Do not attempt any form of first aid either on yourself or a victim of an Adder bite. The only helpful action is to immobilise affected limbs if possible and keep the victim calm and reassured, whilst medical attention is sought.
Adder bites are sometimes, though rarely, fatal to pets. Recent evidence suggests that the snakes venom is more potent during March/April after the animals leave hibernation, so extra caution should be taken when walking dogs at this time. Wear suitable footwear, keep dogs on leads and take care when sitting down in areas where Adders are known to occur.
Hope that helps. :)
Regards,
Generation Gap
Beauty and the Beast
2009-05-28 08:52:44
I've reported it on the site you suggested foxy :D
The map showing the distribution of Adders is quite interesting
I've put my finds on there now. Looks like we've got a healthy population in the south-West :D
Nik - KOTM
2010-01-20 06:55:37
I just love snakes... honestly I really do
Station Master
2010-01-20 10:21:06
This was funny I thought everyone on here were mad seeing snakes in the winter. Good job after I looked at the posted dates or I would of been made a fool of.
There are thousands of adders around, but they are very timid things, they are gone often before you even see them.
A friend got bitten in December by ba Adder it was in her wood pile. Was in her wood pile for the cold winter months.
The Wandering Artist
2010-01-20 22:35:44
Over the years I have come across adders virtually over most of the south part of Dartmoor but rarely in the northern sector. Sat down on a peat cut bank above Bleak house to find I had an unwanted lunch guest - an adder. Looking for a Childes Tomb box amongst the tinners workings east reached down to extract a box and got more than I wanted! Same thing on Hamildon looking for a box off the 629 stone! And many more. I give then a whole lot of respect and distance where possible!!!!
The most I have ever seen in any one day was at Wembury - litterally dozens of them on the grassy slopes below the Naval base area.
TWA
terri harries
2010-02-16 19:47:06
Just seen your post, we are quite familiar with these animals on our moors in Northumberland but had never seen one on Dartmoor despite visiting 4 or 5 times a year for the last 10 years, till last summer when we came across one just on the edge of the Grimspound enclosure. What was unusual is that the weather was absolutely foul pouring with rain and extremely cold and the snake was lying on top of a tussock of grass. I have never seen them out in such awful conditions so possibly this one was not feeling too good, looked to be a young female. Unfortunately no photo as partner who is in charge of camera beat a very hasty retreat!
Spotted this (dead) one at the top of the Postbridge car park on Sunday while waiting for my Ten Tors teams. It didn't look like it had been injured in any way and took a fair bit of fearless prodding with long sticks by me and my mate to be sure it was dead :oops: It had rained on Saturday night for the first time in ages and so the temps took a tumble which may explain it.
[img="http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg257/foxy43/IMG_0963.jpg" alt=""]
Nik - KOTM
2010-04-29 19:46:54
Shame - it's such a beautful creature
Colin
2010-04-30 08:16:00
Sowerby Streaker
2010-04-30 08:34:57
Amazing the different colouring between this photo and Foxy's - is one perhaps a female and one a male??? or is Colin's just a baby!
Colin
2010-04-30 08:50:12
I think the male adders are more grey in colour whereas the females tend to be more brown / red. Also I think the female adults are normally larger.
Colin
Gemma
2010-05-01 19:04:47
[img="http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg257/foxy43/IMG_0963.jpg" alt=""]
No expert but I would say from the size of it .. it was Grass snake nit an Adder, but what do I know. As said shame you are right a nice creature.
Colin
2010-05-01 22:09:58
From what I recall from school grass snakes are brown or green with a yellow ring around there neck. I could be wrong school was a long time ago now!
My money would be on an adder. Zig-zag pattern down the back's a dead give away. (or is that a Burmese python?)
The Wandering Artist
2010-05-02 20:40:49
Might be a Paighton 'gizzit' shop rubber scare me one!
TWA
Don't rattlesnakes have that zig-zag pattern too? All these years of spotting what I thought were adders............ :D
sandwichmaker
2010-05-04 18:40:26
Err..... Gemma that's no grass snake its an adder, seen them lots of times and just look it up on Wikipedia
Gemma
2010-05-04 21:48:06
So have I,seen 100's & from what I have seen & been told an Adder is not that large. Yes they have a zig zag and come in many colours a patterns a grass snake also can have zig zag & come in many colours the size is to me the give away.. I still think it is a grass snake, but as I was not there I have no real way of judging the size. At the end of the day it is a snake :) :)
My mistake then. Anyway, my mate spotted this dead grass snake on the wall at the top of the car park at Postbridge 8)
not even sure it was Postbridge now...................
Walk-dartmoor
2010-05-05 10:07:05
:lol:
It wasn't a car park, it was your living room.
I'm beginning to wonder about that too. Makes me wonder what all the grass snakes I've seen are. :shock:
Gemma
2010-05-05 21:19:03
Guess you are taking the P***. :)
Taking the hiss, perhaps.........:lol:
The Wandering Artist
2010-05-06 20:20:13
Seems to me the rubber one was right!
TWA
Tamerton Chocolates
2011-09-15 08:58:56
Are they particularly prevalent this year?
In all those years I have never seen one. And then last week one of my labradors got bitten by one near Grim's grave (I didn't see it but the vet confirmed it as a bite later). Luckily she is a hard nut and managed to walk all the way back to the scout hut whilst being in shock. Her hind leg was 3 times its normal size for days but she is fine again now. And then yesterday I spotted 2 near Ingra Tor myself, just lying around on a rock in the sun.
I've never seen an adder either. Seen loads of grass snakes, though.....
Nik - KOTM
2011-09-16 07:37:41
Ingra Tor eh? Seems the snake population is getting bigger, most of the snakes I have seen have been on the eastern side of the moor, though I have not seen any grass snakes on the moor
Tamerton Chocolates
2011-09-16 08:27:15
It might still be Leeden Tor. On the northern side not far up from the railway. There is an area of burnt gorse (probably a year or 2 ago)
Dartymoor
2011-09-16 18:21:39
Ok, not dartmoor, but we almost tripped over one lying half in the sun on the SW coast path a few miles east of plymouth last week.
Only one I've seen this year though. Not quite biblical yet!
reg the bullmastiff
2011-09-18 14:26:46
Here is a story you won't believe, but about 5 years ago I accidentally stepped on one of them and it tried to bite me! It's fangs got stuck in my trousers, I still wasn't sure what it was and went to remove it with my hand............. IT BIT MY THUMB!!!!!!!!
Since then I have had to endure the words of wisdom of so many armchair experts who have told me,
A) There bite is no worse than a couple of bee stings.
B) They never grow more than a few inches.
C) They are only active from month A to B (it always varies)
D) etc. etc........................ I ALMOST DIED!!!!!!!
IF you want the advice of someone who has taken the "test drive"
GIVE THEM A WIDE BIRTH.
Them little buggers .................
A) Have attitude.
B) Pack a punch.
C) Don't like to be stepped on!
For the animal lovers amongst us (I count myself in this group) the snake slithered off seemingly unharmed by the encounter. I WENT OFF IN AN AMBULANCE.
Luckily I was at a chicken farm down at Praze and was able to get to help within a few minutes. Within 2 minutes I started to fell the effects of the venom, within 20 minutes I could no longer stand or talk. My blood pressure fell threw the floor, my kidneys, and liver failed. It feels like every cell in your body is in pain.
ANYWAY........ I would suggest the very worst place to have this happen to you would be, say ...... "DARTMOOR"?????? (and that's where they hang out! What are the chances???)
TAKE CARE FOLKS.
Sowerby Streaker
2011-09-18 14:43:55
Totally agree - I know another Letterboxers dog nearly died after being bitten on Pil Tor. It felled the dog, but luckily Nick spotted the adder slipping away. He picked the dog up and ran back to the car, then rushed off to the vets. It took several days in the doggy hospital with the dog on a drip before it was finally saved. So keep an eye out for the adders biting the dogs. TC you were very lucky your dog survived the bite
Nik - KOTM
2011-09-18 20:49:01
Despite the seriousness of your bite Reg, that made me laugh... I know I shouldn't but that was funny. Glad you are still around to laugh at it.
However the biggest adder I saw must have been 30+ inches long and that was on the South West coastal path at Fort Bovisand, it was stuck and to protect the kids we had in our care I had to remove it to the undergrowth, fortunately I am not scared of snakes - actually I quite like them
The Wandering Artist
2011-09-18 21:08:10
Nik - your last post reminded me of the occassion when my brother was in the Navy and stationed at Wembury Gunnery School.
Part of his 'duty' was to 'skirmish' the grounds for litter etc. and to cut the grassed areas from the accommodation blocks down to the perimeter fencing. He told me that one day during grass cutting he encountered countless adders.
Tamerton Chocolates
2011-09-19 10:03:38
Sounds like Reg was/is allergic to adder venom (in a similar way that people can die from a wasp sting). Usually reactions to adderbites are fairly mild aren't they?
The wife actually works at the vet and the only serious bites to dogs they get is when they get bitten in the face. I was lucky with our dog as she just had some sort of steroid treatment a few weeks before (I think for arthritis or something) and that was still in her system. It is similar to how they would normally treat a dog that is bitten apparently.
brinbunny
2011-09-20 21:33:19
The NHS have some adder facts that I can add (I have discussed these with a GP who had an adder bite bought to him this summer)
The average amount of adder bites in the UK is around 95 per year (not alot for the whole country)
Adders can dry bite (no venom) but a warning shot - I would still imagine it would be very painful
The last person to die from an adder bite was logged in 1975 (a while ago then)
Most people who do suffer do so because of an allergy or existing condition that was made worse by bite.
Even with this advice I am not scared of snakes but would rather keep my eyes peeled and avoid any I find - I have not seen any on the moor but did bump into one in Hampshire a few years ago.
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