Where can snakes be found in the UK?

The Adder (or Common Viper)

They are widespread throughout mainland Britain and are able to survive extremely harsh conditions. They are the most frequently seen British snake and are becoming more common in open woodland, hedgerows, moorland, sand dunes, riverbanks, bogs, heathland and even mountains.

How common are snakes UK?

There are three native snakes species in the UK and you're most likely to see them in the wild, or sometimes in your garden, during the warm weather. There's only one venomous native snake in the UK.

Where are most adders found in the UK?

Where to find them. The adder is the most northerly member of the viper family and is found throughout Britain, from the south coast of England to the far north of Scotland. In Scandinavia its range even extends into the Arctic Circle.

Does snake exist in UK?

Only 3 types of snake are found in the wild in the UK. The adder is the only venomous snake, but you should get all snake bites checked as soon as possible. Telling the doctors the colour and pattern of the snake that bit you could help them treat it.

Are snakes in London?

The two snakes found in London are the grass snake and the adder, they are both very different behaviourally and aesthetically. The grass snake is widespread and is our longest, it can be found in a variety of habitats, from dry grasslands to parks.

All 6 (Native) U.K. Reptiles

Which UK snakes can swim?

Grass snakes are the largest in Britain, reaching up to approximately 1.3 metres. They have a round pupil and have a green back with dark bars. These snakes have a black and cream or white collar at the base of the head and are also proficient swimmers.

Can you pick up an adder?

Adders will normally retreat into the vegetation when they sense people approaching. Make sure that children under your supervision know not to catch snakes.

How big is a UK adder?

Once fully grown, adders usually measure between 60 and 80cm in length. Young are almost perfect replicas of adults and measure around 17cm in length at birth.

What happens if you get bitten by an adder?

That said if an adder injects venom when it bites, it can cause serious symptoms including: pain, redness and swelling in the area of the bite. nausea (feeling sick) and vomiting. dizziness and fainting.

Where are there no snakes?

An unlikely tale, perhaps—yet Ireland is unusual for its absence of native snakes. It's one of only a handful of places worldwide—including New Zealand, Iceland, Greenland, and Antarctica—where Indiana Jones and other snake-averse humans can visit without fear.

Why are there snakes in England but not Ireland?

As Popular Science noted, when the glaciers began melting, the land between Ireland and England was covered over 8,500 years ago, but the land between Britain and Europe went underwater 6,500 years ago, allowing more time for snakes to slither over.

Do grass snakes bite UK?

They do catch mice and voles, but only on rare occasions. Although the Grass Snake rarely bites, it can put on a seemingly aggressive defence if cornered, inflating the body, hissing loudly and striking with the mouth closed.

Where do adders live in the UK?

In Britain the Adder has a rather patchy distribution. It is more numerous in southern England than the north, is not common in the Midlands but is fairly numerous in west Wales and southwest England. It is widespread in Scotland but is absent from the Outer Hebrides, the Central Lowlands and the Northern Isles.

How many snake bites a year UK?

Research conducted after this showed there had been 14 deaths from adder bites in the previous 100 years. One death between 1950 and 1972 in England and Wales but 61 deaths from bee or wasp stings. About 100 adder bites are now reported in the UK each year, with most between February and October.

Should you suck out snake venom?

DO NOT Try to suck out the venom. It doesn't work, says Calello, and it puts you at risk of getting poison in your mouth. DO NOT Use aspirin, ibuprofen, or other painkillers that thin your blood. DO NOT Apply a tourniquet.

Why are there no snakes in Ireland?

At the end of the last ice age, when all the ice disappeared and rising sea levels cut Ireland off from the rest of Europe, the island was left without one thing: snakes. Since then, cold weather and a climate that's not conducive to snake life have kept the island free of slithering snakes.

Do UK adders hiss?

Adder. The adder is our only venomous snake. It's a short and stocky creature, up to 70cm in length, the female being larger than the male. Contrary to popular belief, it's not an aggressive reptile, and although adders may hiss on being disturbed, they usually crawl away or 'freeze' until the danger has passed.

Are adders aggressive?

Though they are venomous, they are not aggressive, and when threatened only use their venom as a last resort. Humans are most likely to be bitten if they step on or try to pick up an adder. Adders "have relatively moderate venom, not highly lethal," said Savitzky.

What does an adder look like in the UK?

The adder is a greyish snake, with a dark and very distinct zig-zag pattern down its back, and a red eye. Males tend to be more silvery-grey in colour, while females are more light or reddish-brown. Black (melanistic) forms are sometimes spotted.

Can you survive a snake bite without treatment?

You'll begin to see symptoms immediately, but your symptoms will worsen over time. Ideally, you'll reach medical help within 30 minutes of being bitten. If the bite is left untreated, your bodily functions will break down over a period of 2 or 3 days and the bite may result in severe organ damage or death.

Do dogs survive snake bites?

Approximately 80% of pets survive a snake bite if treated quickly, so a prompt response is essential. This involves recognizing the initial symptoms of a snake bite and immediately seeking care.

Are there snakes in the River Thames?

A large boa constrictor which was spotted slithering beside the Thames in south-west London has been captured. The snake, which was about 5ft (1.5m) long, was caught by the RSCPA on Sunday after being seen in undergrowth near Barnes Bridge.

What to do if you find a snake in your garden UK?

If you stumble across a native British snake in your garden or the wild, please leave them undisturbed. There's no need to get in contact with us unless the snake appears to be injured or wounded. If you find a non-native species of snake, please keep your distance and call our advice line on 0300 1234 999.

Do you get snakes in Scotland?

Our only native snake is Scotland's sole venomous reptile. But the adder is a timid creature and unlikely to bite unless threatened. An adder's preferred defence is to hide in the undergrowth.

Are there snakes in England and Scotland?

Spotted a snake? There are three species of snake native to the UK: grass snake, adder and smooth snake.