Adder in my garden !

I have just gone out to feed the birds .
I have a fat ball hanger in the hedge above a dry stone wall for the small birds .
As I went to fill it a snake heads came out of the wall and then slid slowly back in again it was black with pale marking .

It was an adder I am going to have to move that hanger although on a good point they are timid and only bite if trodden on or cornered .

Looked exactly like this fellow

Re: Adder in my garden !

Muddy, I don't think anybody would be happy to find a snake in their garden,but they are often beautiful creatures ( I have held a few snakes, and never been harmed).
If you know they are in your garden, just make sure you wear adequate footwear because, although adder venom won't kill you, I understand that their bite can be very painful!

Re: Adder in my garden !

I've never seen an Adder in the wild although there are supposed to be a lot of them living on the moors....never seen one....do you have a dog Muddy? I wondered are they dangerous if a dog is bitten being smaller.

Re: Adder in my garden !

It’s the first I have ever seen and yes I do have a dog who regularly jumps on that wall .
I will have to change my bird feeders that I am sure attract mice etc which adders like to eat they may even take little birds .

Re: Adder in my garden !

Wow muddy, how lucky are you, I’d love to see an adder, or any snake ,in the wild...

Re: Adder in my garden !

Good fortune that you spotted it, very well camouflaged.

https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildl...reptiles/adder

Re: Adder in my garden !

Ditto

Much maligned along with bats.

Re: Adder in my garden !

Used to have them when we lived in Horley Surrey. Ooften seen on rocks sunbathing in the copse behind us. I was lucky to see a huge grass snake as well while we lived there. leave them alone, they only bite if they feel under atteck or frightened I understand

Re: Adder in my garden !

OMG that would terrify me, snakes and spiders are my worst nightmare

Re: Adder in my garden !

Wow! What a find. I bet he was beautiful. Not so good with the dog around though obviously. Funnily enough, on our walk this morning, I saw my first live Slow worm.