“I was fascinated to see one, it was a great experience”
(Image: Mark Fice)
This venomous species can be spotted all over the UK, and are known to slither through Devon fields, particularly on Dartmoor.
Some people wait a lifetime to see this creature, some see them frequently, but they’re actually not as common as recent sightings suggest.
The adder is a greyish snake with a distinct pattern on its back. They prefer woodland and moorland areas and can be spotted throughout the summer months.
Mark Fice has finally come across one of these fascinating creatures after a whopping 40 year wait.
“I was riding my bicycle about a mile down the trail from the Dartmoor Diner. I saw the adder basking in the sun, I got my phone out and quickly took three photos before the snake slithered off and hid away,” he said.
Mark, from Plymouth, said he was mesmerised by the sighting.
An adder spotted on Dartmoor(Image: Mark Fice)
He said: “I was fascinated to see one, it was a great experience. Coincidentally, I only said that morning to my best friend that I have never seen an adder in the wild, I have only seen them in pictures.”
“And then late that morning of course I saw an adder for the first time, it was lovely to see one after visiting Dartmoor for over 40 years.”
People have been sharing photos of adder sightings in Facebook groups and online, prompting many to speculate that they are becoming more widespread.
But Stephen Hussey of the Devon Wildlife Trust says this is not the case and adders are in a current state of decline.
“People may be seeing more adders, but this doesn’t mean that there are more adders on Dartmoor or anywhere else in the South West,” Stephen said.
“Much more likely is that the warm weather means there are many more exploring the remaining places adders live, such as moorland and coastal habitats.”
“In fact, evidence on adder numbers point to a sharp decline in their numbers over the past 20 to 30 years mainly due to disturbance from humans and the loss and fragmentation of the places they like to live in. The species is now in a fight for survival.”
They’re in decline(Image: Mark Fice)
Whilst the adder is an impressive, and for some, a rare sighting, it is recommended to view the venomous creature from afar. Mark said that he was cautious of his interaction with the venomous creature.
Stephen said: “If you come across an adder, leave it alone. Take a step back and admire it for what it is, a beautiful and increasingly rare part of our native wildlife.”
“Adders are not aggressive. When bites happen it’s often because people have gotten too close or tried to handle the animal. Dog disturbance to adders and other wildlife can be avoided if dogs are on a short lead, doing so also greatly reduces the risk of your dog getting a bite from an adder.
“Anyone bitten by an adder should seek medical attention,” Stephen added.