Adders.

Colin Pumfrett · #1 (**permalink**) 13-03-2010, 08:39 PM

Went to Laughton forest today for adders, managed to see 6 in all, some were very fearless and posed very readily. I took this shot with a Samsung pocket compact camera bought from argos for £69. As good as my Canon macro lens.

Colin Pumfrett.

Tracey.A · #2 (**permalink**) 13-03-2010, 09:17 PM

An amazing photo Colin! What a lot of snakes! I've never seen one, but then I am a bit (very) scared of snakes. I'm surprised to be honest that I've never seen one, because when I'm out and about I'm high alert, which is silly I know. I'm sure the snake would be more scared of me than I am of it

.

Tracey

Colin Pumfrett · #3 (**permalink**) 14-03-2010, 10:26 PM

Definately, they would detect you coming and just slither away , i sat down next to these adders and one slithered past me about 2ft away, no fear whatsoever.

Colin.

Tracey.A · #4 (**permalink**) 15-03-2010, 11:19 PM

Wow! I wouldn't be able to sit down so close to adders, but I think this is probably down to the fact that you can read them so well. I wish I could get over this snake phobia, partly because I know it is silly! I think I should start to learn a bit more about them

I think the answer is the more you learn, the more you understand!

Tracey

britnik · #5 (**permalink**) 17-03-2010, 06:53 PM

How do you get to see adders, I have been trying lately.

I went out this morning about 9:45 when the sun started to break through the cloud.

I went to a place where there is a big sign that says "Beware Adders", I thought that this may be a clue.

Walked around for an hour and a half, but it did start to cloud over with light rain after 20 mins.

Not a sausage.

What times of day are they most active? When do they hunt, search for mates (Are the females out yet) How do you tell a male from a female (from a safe distance)?

Tracey.A · #6 (**permalink**) 18-03-2010, 12:31 AM

Hi britnik, I know that the snakes have to warm up in the sun before they become more active, so perhaps it was a bit cold when you were out and about. Sorry you didn't see any, although like me it would have to be from a safe distance

Colin seems to know a lot about snakes, so it will be interesting to hear what he has to say. He saw six snakes, which is amazing! I'm nervous of snakes, but drawn to them too!?

Tracey

Colin Pumfrett · #7 (**permalink**) 18-03-2010, 06:55 PM

As Tracey mentioned it was probably too cold for them, they like to bask in the sun alot especially now in spring, i first saw them 2 weeks ago when i counted 12 individuals, all males, no females as they emerge a few weeks later, male adders have black zigzag markings where as females have dark brown zigzags and the base colour in males in slightly paler than in females so the markings stand out in comparison. They do not seem to be affected by noise but try to walk quietly as they detect vibrations in the ground. The area where i see them seems to be coming a tourist attraction for photographers and sometimes families walk past and ask whats going on and i show them the snakes and they are fascinated, they have been walking in the woods for ages and never knew snakes existed there and its great seeing their reaction, especially if they have children with them.

Colin.