Where to find adders in surrey

The need for well drained soils means that adders are frequently found on sandy heathland and chalk downland. They tend to avoid heavy clay soils. Hedgerows can provide an abundance of prey. Although associated with chalk grassland and heathland, the adder is essentially a woodland margin species, and can be readily found at woodland edges or along forest rides.

Hibernation areas are usually on drier and higher ground, but it is usual for particularly male animals to migrate over 1km to wetter hunting areas during the summer. The adder is a diurnal predator, however on particularly warm summer nights it is known that adders also hunt during the hours of darkness.

The mating period varies, depending upon annual weather conditions, but usually the last two weeks of April or the first week of May. After the mating period, male Adders and juveniles migrate to wetter communal hunting areas shared by adders from various hibernacula. This can make summer months difficult for survey, although most females stay close to hibernacula sites, those in reproduction basking openly to aid development of their unborn young.

All animals return to the proximity of the hibernacula site towards the end of September. Juveniles may follow scent trails back to a different hibernacula area to their orign, thus aiding genetic diversity. Like all native snakes, the adder will eat any animal that it can overpower and swallow, however; the adder tends to specialise in small mammals, particularly voles. Research has shown that adders take a significant period of time to digest their prey. It is not infrequent for an adder to survive from eating only one small mammal per month.

There are reports that some adder populations primarily predate amphibians, such as the common frog. Presumably this is due to a lack of small mammals, but demonstrates this snake's dietary flexibility. Nesting birds are also taken when the opportunity is presented. Other reptiles may also be taken, with many reports of common lizard and slow worm making up a part of the adder's diet.

It is believed that juvenile adders are perticularly dependent on common lizard prey, and it is unusual for find adders at locations where common lizards are not present. Although it is generally believed that the adder is an ambush predator, they can often be seen actively hunting for prey.

It is believed that the adder strikes its victim, then immediately releases once a lethal dose of venom has been injected. By doing this the adder avoids any possible injury from struggling prey. The adder will then track its victim, scenting the trail by use of its flickering tongue 'tasting' the air. The adder can track the individual prey item, regardless of crossing tracks left by other animals of the same species. Recent studies have shown that adders spend a significant amount of time underground, in vole runs and burrows.

Presumably such proximity to a prey source is not coincidental. Most of the adder's predators are birds. Birds of prey will take an adder, but so will members of the crow family, some sea gulls and even herons. Perhaps the main predator of young and small adders is the pheasant! Smooth snakes, although rare will eat adders of up to 30cm in length. Mammal predators may include badgers, foxes and even hedgehogs, but this is opportunistic and does not form part of their usual diet.

In certain parts of the country, pole cats and their relations the stoat and pine marten may predate on adders. Research has shown that the zig-zag markings along the adder's back are recognised by predators as a warning that the adder can defend itself with venom.

This defence mechanism is known as aposetism. The adder's first defence against all predator threats is to move quickly and silently into deep cover, such as a gorse thicket. Only as a last resort will the Adder bite, and even then will posture and hiss to warn a predator that it can defend itself. There are around adder bites to humans each year in the UK. Victims are usually male, who have picked up the Adder with their hands! There have been only 12 reported deaths from Adder bite, and none since the mid s.

Some of these fatalities are believed to have been due to the administration of early antivenins, when the risk of untreated allergic reaction was higher than today. Healthy humans usually recover fully within three weeks children often within two weeks , although some nagging aches can persist for longer periods.

Antivenin is only used for severe bites, although anybody bitten by an adder should seek immediate medical attention. Adder hibernacula hibernation places are of vital importance for the long-term survival of the species. Some adders may use the same hibernacula for life, and often generations of the animal have used the same hibernacula; however there is strong evidence to support the possibility that adders can chage hibernacula.

Hibernation sites must be resistent to flood, frost and predators. Typical hibernacula include living root systems, unused burrow networks, and especially the root systems of trees that have been blown over by gales and have overgrown. In Surrey, the majority of hibernaqcula are situated on slopes to aid drainage? In April, the male adder actively seeks out a potential mate. At this time it is possible to approach adders without any apparent shyness from the animal.

When a male finds a potential mate, he will slither along her side tongue-flicking the female. If successfully received, the two will mate. Should a rival male approach, the two males will slide along each other, almost as if they are comparing their lengths. Should the original male win, he will resume his mate guarding adjacent to the female. Should he lose, the new victor will attempt to woo the female, and the cycle starts anew. Read about these interesting animals and have a look at where you could be lucky enough to spot one yourself!

Reptiles are fascinating animals, that can sometimes sadly be forgotten about when talking about interesting and exciting UK wildlife. They have evolved from prehistoric beginnings to the animals you see today and the variety is astonishing. Most lay eggs, but some give birth to live young, they live in an array of habitats and, contrary to general expectations, are often quite shy.

Perhaps you might be lucky enough to come across one basking on a rock to warm themselves on a Surrey heathland, or maybe you'll need to do a little more searching. However, these creatures are more than worth the wait to see. Sadly, due to loss of habitat, both smooth snakes and sand lizards are very rare, which makes a sighting even more spectacular. It's so important that we protect important habitats to ensure that we do not lose our native reptiles. We have 3 species of native snake in the UK.

All are shy and illusive, so you'll have to be quiet and tread carefully if you go in search of them. The rare smooth snake can only be found at a few heathland sites in the UK, several of which are in Surrey. It looks a bit like an adder, but lacks the distinctive zig-zag pattern along its back. Our only venomous snake, the shy adder can be spotted basking in the sunshine in woodland glades and on heathlands. An adder bite is a very rare occurrence, and can be painful, but is almost never fatal.

The grass snake is our longest snake, but don't worry if you find one in the compost heap - it's harmless! Look out for this green and yellow beauty in grasslands and wetlands, too. The best way to spot Adders is to determine a place where they are known to exist. This may be a local heath, common or even a nature reserve. Most areas of public-access countryside will have an appointed warden or conservation officer.

Check your local council webpages to find who this is, and ask them where the best places are to spot Adders. Be prepared for people to be secretive about Adder sites, as human persecution is, sadly, still a threat to Adders. Observing reptiles in the wild can be difficult, and lack of sightings after hours of effort is usual for beginners, and can sap the initial enthusiasm.

Knowing Adders are present in an area will help morale, and you can use a known site to hone your skills. Once you have found a site, you must next decide whereabouts on the site is the best place to look. Adders require good dense ground cover, where they can hide from predators, yet also require sunny spots for basking.

Adders tend to prefer higher drier ground in Spring and Autumn, and will readily adopt dips on a hillside as protection from the wind.