Common Adder (Vipera berus)

OTHER NAMES: Adder, Common European Adder, Common Viper
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.

 - Seen at Ketton Quarry Nature Reserve in May 2020 and Weeting Heath in May 2013

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Barred Grass Snake (Natrix helvetica)

OTHER NAMES: Grass Snake, Common Snake, Green Snake, Water Snake, Ringed Snake

Latin Etymology: Natrix ("water snake") helvetica ("of Switzerland")

Adult Barred Grass Snake (subspecies N. n. helvetica) at Summer Leys, Northants - April 2024

Featured Subspecies: Natrix helvetica helvetica

Weight: 240g  /  Length: 100cm
NOT EVALUATED / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The largest land based reptile in the UK, grass snakes are also by far the commonest of the UKs three native snake species  - it isn't technically particularly rare but seeing even this most common of snakes is a rare and unusual occurrence, which in most places isn't at all reliable.  It is not venomous, and mainly eats frogs and toads - and is also known as the water snake for it's propensity for swimming - often catching tadpoles. It may occasionally, as in this case, enter gardens and even hibernate or breed in people's compost heaps.

Related Species: 
Order: Colubridae
Family: Natricinae
Genus: Natrix
SUBSPECIES: N. n. natrix, N. n. cetti, N. n. corsa, N. n. helvetica, N. n. lanzai

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A reasonably common resident though difficult to see.

- Seen a few times around Geddington and Brigstock

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List. RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto  .

Western Gopher Snake (Pituophis catenifer)

OTHER NAMES: Pacific Gopher Snake, Coast Gopher Snake, Gopher Snake
Latin Etymology: Pituophis ("pine snake") catenifer ("chain bearing") 

Adult Western Gopher Snake (Pituophis catenifer) at Writing-on-Stone National Park, Alberta, Canada - July 2024

Featured Subspecies: Bullsnake - Pituophis catenifer sayi
Weight: 1-4.5kg  /  Length: 36-84cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

One of the largest snakes in North America, the Western Gopher Snake is found over most of the Western United States save for the higher parts of the Rockies. Despite being larger than them on average, Western Gopher Snakes will mimic the strike pose and tail shaking of Rattlesnakes to deter predators.

Related Species:
Order: Squamata
Family:  Colubridae
Genus: Pituophis
SUBSPECIES: P. c. affinis, P. c. annectens, P. c. catenifer, P. c. desrticola, P. c. fulginatus, P. c. pumilis, P. c. sayi

 - Sighting Locations -

CANADA -Found in very Southern parts of Alberta and British Columbia
  - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: - One seen at Writing-on-Stone National Park, Alberta

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Plains Hognose Snake (Heterodon nasicus)

OTHER NAMES: Western Hognose Snake, Prairie Hognose Snake, Blow Snake, Spoonbill Snake, Texas Hognose Snake, Spreadhead Snake
Latin Etymology: Heterodon ("different tooth") nasicus ("nose")  

Juvenile Plains Hognose Snake (Heterodon nasicus) at Sully Creek State Park, North Dakota, USA - July 2024

Featured Subspecies: Heterodon nasicus nasicus
Weight: 80-350g  /  Length: 40-50cm 
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Occuring from Canada to Mexico through the Great Plains, the Plains Hognose is a relatively small species which gets its name from the upturned tip of it's nose, an adaptation used for burrowing. While technically it does possess venom, as a rear-fanged species and does not possess the ability to bite humans and only feeds upon much smaller prey. A popular species in captivity, where many colour morphs have been developed.

Related Species:
Order: Squamata
Family:  Colubridae
Genus: Heterodon
SUBSPECIES: H. n. gloydi, H. n. kennerlyi, H. n. nasicus

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES -Central Prairie of the Lower 48
  - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: - Seen in North Dakota

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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