Albino Adder?

[camo]

Hi

On my travels over the last few days I found a tiny baby Adder of about 6-8 inches long with red pigment and very little dark pigment. I don't think it is Albino however I was surprised at how orange it was. Unfortunately it was buried deep in a boggy area and rather than disturb it I had to be content with some poor pictures.

Roy

[Hedge Witch]

It's very cute-looking, Roy, well done!

[NickCantle]

This is interesting Roy,

In Norfolk, due to the terrain being quite sandy, our Adders are generally a little bit darker that this. I've never seen some of the Adders on here, with grey, white or black on them. I've only ever seen sort of 'rust' coloured ones with chocolate brown zig-zags. I would assume it's evolved camouflage in accordance to the habitat area.

[Dogghound]

Yes not an albino but quite pale. Females are often very brown compared to the silvery/grey and black of the males. There is a large amount of variability within populations of this species.

[camo]

In Bedfordshire our Adders are exclusively standard colours with Males Black and white especially after shedding and females being brown and cream so it was a real treat to find this little snake. At only 6-8inches it is also the smallest Adder I have seen it was a shame the weather was so poor as I am sure I would found a few more.

Roy

[volence]

beautiful snake. i wish i could have seen it. unfortunately the only snakes i've seen are my pets. the closest i have got to anything wild and snake - like was a slow worm

[sebastianbawn]

As a novice just taking a chance, but could it not be an Erythristic individual?

[camo]

Hi

I am not sure if it was a genetic mutated colour or just a highly colourful youngster. I now beleive I may have missed an opportunity to see more closely a beautiful animal. The snake was a tiny specimen of only 6-8 inches and it was in some deep cover with at any time the chance to flee. I did think about trying to manipulate either the snake or cover to get a better picture however I chose to leave it undisturbed. I am also puzzled as to how I saw it as it was in acres of cover and so tiny, either I was very lucky or the place was stacked full. When I get the chance I will return to the area and relook although it may not be for some years even. However I am left believing it was a special animal, I was probably right not to disturb it and I was lucky rather than failed to make the most of the situation.

Roy

[NickCantle]

Originally Posted by camo

I am also puzzled as to how I saw it as it was in acres of cover and so tiny, either I was very lucky or the place was stacked full.

It's the evolution of a wildlife lover I spot ridiculously small things because I've adapted to looking for 'everything' if that makes sense. Some people set out to reach a destination and don't see nor pay attention to their surroundings- just the one way track to the destination. However, the wildlife loving people are collectively curious and inquisitive What a fantastic trait

In fact Cybershot and CapandBracket have been known on occasion to refer to me as Eagle eyes Cantle when we've been out

[Vicar]

Hi...it's a classic colour morph for juvenile adders, there is a strong tendency for adders of this size to display a strong ginger or orange colouration, usually a female. The little ones are much harder to spot...so kudos for managing a picture!