There's a very early Snake in the Grass!

On the local news yesterday there was a report that somebody had seen and photographed a large Adder (or Viper as they are also known) sunbathing on the Hill above Shoreham by sea. Well, yes they do live there but to awake from hibernation in mid February is most unusual.

I guess we have to say " Global warming" which is the most obvious possible reason but always remember it may just be an individual making a mistake and if it didn't return to the warm underground hibernation site, the cold may have killed he or she and thereby killed off the bloodline i.e. the genetic error that prompted the creature to wake up too early wont be passed on the the next generation. This is how evolution works, adapt and survive or become extinct.

Here's a successful individual in mid March last year on Lewes Race course.

These snakes can bite and have a powerful venom but are very shy and and usually slither away long before you see them. However, individuals just out of hibernation are drowsy and this is when, simply as a defence in case you step on them, they can bite.

There are three snakes in the UK by the way, this being the only one dangerous to us but beware, individuals have many shade variation but the zigzag pattern is the key which is still recognisable even the all black variety.

The rare heathland Smooth snake is just about all over the sandy background colour of this Adder (sorry I don't have a photo of one) They are not to be confused with the Slow worms below though, which are not snakes but legless lizards!

The Grass snake looks rather scary in close up but is also harmless and the green or greyish green and yellow is easy to spot. Below is one that had just come out of hibernation in late March and I held it for a few minutes by quickly placing me iPhone in front of it where is could see it's reflection thinking it was another snake and proceeded to argue with it's self!

By the way, it has recently been discovered that there is a sub species of Grass snake in the UK, The Barred Garss snake, it's all to do with the black markings on the back of the neck. I'll leave you to find out more and hope you might send me photos as both types are present on Railway Land Nature Reserve in Lewes!

Steve