Yes, you are right, it is a Vipera berus (European Adder). With all my time in Europe, I have yet to see one in the forest either

rick wrote:I see a few adders (usually dead) around Passfield and Woolmer pond, not far from Alice Holt. But most encounters were in bogs in Scotland - tended to lay on top of grass tussocks in the bog - when jumping from one mound to another, had to change direction in mid-air a few times!

Yeah thats gets me worried a few times in parts of Thailand whilst on the Bog too.

some interesting facts on Snake Bites ( Australia )

70% of people who are bitten , are because they are actually trying to kill the snake.

Of those people who are bitten, 70% are bitten on the upper and lower limbs.

wazza wrote:some interesting facts on Snake Bites ( Australia )
70% of people who are bitten , are because they are actually trying to kill the snake.
Of those people who are bitten, 70% are bitten on the upper and lower limbs.

I'd say here that I'm vindicated in believing that you should let snakes just move aside but I understand the Australians have some very bad tempered reptiles.

Michael C wrote:Yes, you are right, it is a Vipera berus (European Adder). With all my time in Europe, I have yet to see one in the forest either

It's not a big wood and is surrounded by farmland and heathland which is probably why we see a few snakes and Slow Worms. I've just read that Adders like to go out hunting at dusk which is probably why Mrs. W. saw him crossing the track at about 1700 hrs or thereabouts. But apparently, they don't go further than 100 metres or so, is that right?

You've got me interested now, I also note that the Smooth Snake is a native of Britain, so I'll be on the look out for that species as well.

One website reckons that Badgers and Foxes go after Adders, I wonder what the casualty rate for mammals is?

" I'd say here that I'm vindicated in believing that you should let snakes just move aside but I understand the Australians have some very bad tempered reptiles. "

Yes indeed Mr Westers, advice is, if you see a snake, remove yourself from the area, stamp your feet , so the snakes feels the vibration, and will move also ( hopefully not at u ! )

Yes Oz has some bad bitting, eating, stinging creatures, Doesnt Discover Channel have a special programme just on Dangerous tours of Oz and all the animals involved.

Incidently the salt water crocs claimed another 1 yesterday, a local swimming in infested waters at 0200 !!

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,25 ... 21,00.html

4 to the Salties, and a few major attacks to the sharks.

Crikey !

"Incidently the salt water crocs claimed another 1 yesterday, a local swimming in infested waters at 0200 !! "

Wazza,,,,,,,,,, here we call that a little cleaning of the genetic pool. Unfortunately, they seem to breed faster than commit stupid acts.

LoongLee wrote:"Incidently the salt water crocs claimed another 1 yesterday, a local swimming in infested waters at 0200 !! "

Wazza,,,,,,,,,, here we call that a little cleaning of the genetic pool. Unfortunately, they seem to breed faster than commit stupid acts.

Even 30 years ago, I wouldn't swim in rivers in the daytime in the NT of Australia, let alone at night. Admit to wading in the water though during the day, but that was back in the days when croc attacks were still very rare. But as you state, some people do seem to ask for it.

Found a new variety in our garden this afternoon, quite a small snake abt 1 mtr long at most I would guess, quite striking lightgreen bottom and sides with a darker longitudinal marking on its back. Snake was more or less standing upright with part of its body, looking with its head above the grass (that's how I spotted it).

see http://www.navtools.nl/bitmaps/gardensnake.jpg

As it was broad daylight and it didn't look particularly threatening (even our dog didn't mind about this one) I presumed it was a friendly one so I just let it find its one way.