Snake at dusk, ID from poor description?!

[lovecrawlies]

Hi,

Walking dogs in the very late evening (had seen a glow worm, later heard nightjars, as guide to timing!) and almost stepped on a small dark snake on the path. The snake coiled into itself defensively, and when I backed off (swiftly) it moved back across the path and into the short vegetation at the path's edge. It was obviously moving to get away from pervceived danger, but instead of gliding smooth and straight, it moved in a very 's' shaped way, it looked as though it was propelling itself against the ground by throwing curves, rather than crawling using its ribs.

I haven't seen many UK snakes, and it was too dark to see its markings, but it's general behaviour seemed different to the grass snakes I've glimpsed so far, and I wondered if it was a small adder. We were in Battle Great Wood, I know adders are found in other local woods, but don't know specifically about the great wood.

From the timing, location or behaviour, anyone able to hazard an opinion on what it was?

Thanks!

[ViperaBerus]

Adder. That is classic adder behaviour. A Grass snake would have just fled. Adders also hunt at dusk and quite a way into the night.

[GCN lova]

i agree with an adder

[King Edward]

Originally Posted by lovecrawlies

instead of gliding smooth and straight, it moved in a very 's' shaped way, it looked as though it was propelling itself against the ground by throwing curves, rather than crawling using its ribs.

This is how they usually move, by lateral flexion of the body. Friction from the belly scales against the ground drives them forward, rather than sideways.

[nutmeg]

Yesterday, late afternoon, a large grass snake moved in this fashion across the road ahead of me - I hadn't seen one move like that before (not that I'm querying the Adder suggestion for lovecrawlies's snake - just making an observation).

[King Edward]

The more S-shaped movement on the road/path could perhaps be to do with reduced grip on smoother surfaces. Or was it even a sidewinding-type movement?

[lovecrawlies]

I love this site!

Thank you all, I'll hold the thought that I probably saw an adder (and remain grateful that the dogs completely missed it).

Thanks again, really helpful responses to a very limited description!