Do Adders Hibernate?

[gfilmsuk]

I allways thought that adders hibernated in the winter, but is this true?
Just before Christmas I was walking a piece of local heath and there had been a sharp frost that morning. The time was about 10.15 am and the sun between the patches of gorse had melted the frost on the ground. In many of these 'sunny spots' there were adders curled-up sunbathing. As I say, I have allways been told they hibernate till spring. Obviously not the case here in Norfolk.
Dave

Getting it right first time is no substitute for a lifetime of mistakes.

[juliejam]

Ive read that Adders will Hibernate during the months of September to March if the temperture drops below nine degrees celsius..Setting under logs or using deserted rabbit or rodent burrows....Ready for mating April - May time..


Julie

[gfilmsuk]

It was certainly much colder than that on this morning. I don't think the temp rose above freezing all day. Perhaps these are a new super-breed of Norfolk adders.
Dave

[NickCantle]

I like the sound of these Adders. I'd like to try and get home up to Norfolk to see the adders and try and get some decent shots...

[gfilmsuk]

Cheers Nick. Let me know when you're coming and I'll plonk you right in the middle of them, not literally of course. There are many sites here where adders are abundant ranging from coastal sand dunes to breck and heath.
Best time obviously is spring. At the BTO site at Cley the gorse bushes are usually full of them sunbathing in the top branches.
All the best, Dave

[NickCantle]

Ah, thanks very much Dave, I'd be most grateful I've seen a few near my Dad's residence. Up near Barnham Broom near Thetford

[nightshade]

On the Mendips most adders hibernated,only emerging during prolonged sunny spells.I was wondering if the continuously wet weather has flooded or waterlogged their winter quarters

[yellowhammer]

Seeing adders in winter is not that unusual - they've been recorded basking in every month of the year and are regularly (albeit not often) found basking when there's snow on the ground. Any sunny day from now on would be worth checking for them. In many ways they're easier to watch early in the year, as the males (which these will be) just loiter in the sun until the females emerge and they have their first shed of the year. Nice find though!

[marvin]

hi

i think adders move around a little when in their hibernacula so whether they hibernate in the true sense of the word is a moot point. as for emerging in relatively cold weather...see this Venomdoc Forums :: View topic - Some field pics from Finland

cheers
tim

[demicav]

Absolutely love Adders. Watch them regularly in Pwllheli though they get quite fast in Summer and are harder to spot. Definately more sluggish and grouped together in the cooler months. My idea of heaven is to be sat surrounded by Adders . Bit mad I know.