Woman finds adder in her garden – terrified

A woman has spoken of her terror after finding an adder in her garden.

The woman, who does not want to be named, was gardening in her back yard when she spotted the snake.

She said: "I screamed and ran inside. I was absolutely terrified."

The woman's daughter called the RSPCA, who came and removed the snake.

An RSPCA spokesperson said: "We were called to reports of a snake in a garden in Northampton yesterday.

"When our inspector arrived, the owner had already managed to get the snake into a box. We took it away and released it into a field nearby."

Adders are Britain's only venomous snake and can cause nasty injuries with their bite. They are usually shy creatures and will try to avoid humans if possible.

Man handling snake mistaken for adder by dog walker

A man handling a snake which he thought was an adder was bitten by the dog walker's pet Labrador Retriever. The incident happened last Sunday (2 September) morning in a park in Hove, East Sussex.

The man, in his 50s, who did not want to be named, said he had been handling the snake for about 10 minutes when the dog walker and her pet approached. He said: "I thought it was an adder but it turned out to be a harmless grass snake. I was holding it by the tail when the Labrador came over and bit me on the hand."

He added: "The pain was immediate and severe. I've never been so shocked or in so much pain in my life." The dog walker called an ambulance and he was taken to hospital where he received treatment for two deep puncture wounds.

Grass snakes are common in the UK and are non-venomous. They typically grow to around 3ft (1m) in length and are light brown or green with black flecks along their body. Adders are venomous reptiles that can grow up to 2ft (0.6m) long and are typically dark brown or black with a zigzag pattern on their back.

John Bower, curator of reptiles at Brighton Aquarium, said: "Grass snakes are very common in this area and they are not venomous. It's possible that the man may have mistaken it for an adder but even if he hadn't, the bite from a Labrador would have been painful but not fatal."

Adders spotted in popular Cambridgeshire nature spot

A recent Twitter post by a local nature photographer has captured the attention of many in the area, as it shows two adders slithering next to one another in a popular nature spot in Cambridgeshire.

The location, apparently near the village of Comberton, is described as a picturesque nature reserve which is popular with walkers, cyclists and horse riders.

According to the RSPB, Adders are common in southern Britain and are typically shy creatures who will only attack if they feel threatened. The snakes often cross roads as they move between their hibernation and breeding sites.

Russia Mayfield, who photographed the adders, said: "I was very lucky to see these beautiful creatures as they were crossing the bridleway. I was very excited when I managed to get such a good shot."

Despite being venomous, adders are not considered to be dangerous and tend to avoid humans if possible. In fact, they are an important part of the food chain as they prey on small mammals, birds and eggs.

Adders make a come back as population booms

The adder is one of the UK's most recognisable snakes, and after a population boom in the past few years, they are making a come back.

Adder numbers have increased from around 3,000 in 2010 to over 5,000 today, according to new research by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL). This resurgence is largely due to increases in rural areas, where the snakes are commonly found among heathland, moorland and downland.

Adder populations had been declining for many years prior to the resurgence, as a result of illegal poaching and habitat loss. However, with improved protection measures and more land being designated as nature reserves and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), their numbers are now on the rise.

"The adder is one of our most iconic species here in the UK and it's great news that their numbers are increasing," said ZSL's Head of Reptiles and Amphibians, Paul O'Donoghue. "This resurgence is testament to the importance of effective conservation measures."

Adder populations can be particularly sensitive to changes in their environment, so it is important that ongoing conservation efforts are in place to ensure their survival.

'Adder amnesty' after increase in sightings

A recent surge in reports of adders in the wild has prompted Lancashire Wildlife Trust to offer a "one-month amnesty" for people who have captured the snakes.

The trust has warned people not to touch or harm the adders, but said it will not prosecute those who hand them over to the trust during the amnesty period.

The amnesty comes after a spate of sightings of the venomous snakes, which are typically shy and rarely seen.

Lancashire Wildlife Trust's Mace Beale said: "We're asking people to catch and release any adders they see and not to harm or kill them.

"We're also asking for help from local people with sightings of adders so that we can get a better idea of where they are and what we can do to protect them."

Adder numbers are in decline in Britain due to loss of habitat, but they remain common in parts of Europe.