Latin Etymology: Vipera ("viper") berus
Adult male Common Adder (subspecies V. b. berus) at Ketton Quarry Nature Reserve - May 2020
Featured Subspecies: Vipera berus berus
Weight: 50-180g / Length: 60-90cm
UK STATUS NOT EVALUATED/ IUCN Red List: Least Concern
The common adder is something of an outlier in many ways; it shares with the Common Lizard the title of most Northerly reptile species, while also being the only venomous snake in the UK. Despite it's negative reputation in the UK, it's a generally shy species that usually only attacks if cornered, otherwise it feeds on small animals as prey. It's venom isn't as potent as other members of the vipers, and while there are recorded fatalities from their bites, this is usually only the case with already vulnerable people, although that doesn't mean the effects are pleasant!
Related Species:
Order: Squamata
Family: Viperidae
Genus: Vipera
SUBSPECIES: V. b. berus, V. b. bosniensis, V. b. sachalinensis
- Sighting Locations -
UNITED KINGDOM - a widely distributed, but scarce resident.
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