Adder sighting (and unknown snake)

[chr!s]

Hi - new forum member here!

After a few visits to the same area (based on intuition rather than reported sightings), I finally spotted an adder in a specific area of Ashdown Forest.



Time: 10.40am
Terrain: heathland
Conditions: warm sun/light easterly breeze

I didn't manage to get very close before the snake spotted me and moved on. Rather than chase after it to get more photos, I settled for the above one. The specimen had very crisp/bold markings, which maybe suggests a recent shedding?

I also spotted many common lizards and what I suspect was a grass snake (see terrible picture below: this one was well-hidden and off through the gorse bushes before I had a chance to get a better picture). It definitely wasn't a slow worm and I doubt it would have been a smooth snake – anyone have any ideas based on what little you can see?



A trip to Thursley Common was less fruitful for snakes, but we found several common lizards on the way out of the trails. Farnham Heath RSPB sanctuary looks like it has potential when the conservation areas have settled down: woodlarks and various other heathland birds are already arriving.

Planning a trip next weekend to try and finally find a smooth snake somewhere in Surrey...

[Matt Smith]

With markings like that, I'd say your second snake was a female adder, not a grass snake.

[chr!s]

Good point: I thought it was a little too tan/brown to be an adder, but having looked again, I think you might be correct!

[JaySteel]

Yes I would concur. A female adder and definitely not a grass snake.
Compare your image to the tail of the adder in the first photo on this page of my photography website here:

http://www.jasonsteelwildlifephotogr...m/adders-2.php

Best regards,
Jason

[chr!s]

I thought the shape was a little too slender to be from the viper family, but looking at your (excellent) photos, I think you're both right on this one. Thank you.

Seems like I've found a good area for adders!

[JaySteel]

I'm glad you like my photos!
At this time of year the adders are in their mating season and have great colours and bold markings which make for great photos. Now that you know exactly where they are it should make finding them next time much easier.
Good luck in your quest for a smooth snake. Be aware though that these are protected by law to the extent that you can't disturb them in any way so photographing one could prove an impossible task unless you can find a licence holder to accompany you. I'm yet to photograph one myself for this very reason.

Best regards,
Jason

[chr!s]

Yeah, I'm lucky to have found a good area for adders. It's taken me long enough!

I'm fully aware that the smooth snake is endangered and protected – to be honest, I treat all of our native reptiles the same way. I'm hoping an early morning trip somewhere will result in a sighting!

[ViperaBerus]

Its's certainly an adder. The slender shape of the tail suggests that it is a juvenile male though as it isn't abrubt enough in taper to be a female. The fact that it has virtually no taper at all the higher up the tail we can see, suggests that it is a male with fully developed hemipenes that is year short of maturity. They have the same brick red colouration as females in the first few years, and then get more female in colouration before they turn the darker shade of an adult male.

[JaySteel]

ViperaBerus - That was my initial thought that the slender tail suggested a male but the colours suggested female. It didn't occur to me that this photo could be of a considerably smaller snake than the one in the first photo. Chris, was this snake small enough to be a juvenile?

Best regards,
Jason

[chr!s]

It was fairly small: I'd guess around 20cm long. I wish I'd seen the entire animal before it slithered off into the undergrowth.