Show Navigation
back to search results

Image 35 of 87

128174.jpg

Add to Lightbox Download
Adder Vipera berus Length 45-60cm Venomous snake. Hibernates October-March and sunbathes regularly in spring. Males perform wrestling ‘dances’ to determine access to females for mating. Sexes are similar but females are larger than males. Adult ground colour ranges from reddish brown, greenish yellow or grey to creamy buff. Almost all have a blackish zigzag line along back, anterior end of which looks arrowheaded and framed by inverted ‘V’ marking on head. Melanic ‘Black Adders’ also occur; commonest in N. Juvenile is similar but slender and usually reddish brown. Widespread but local, found on heaths, moors, open woodlands, rough grassland and coastal dunes. Easiest to see in early spring when basking.
Copyright
© PAUL STERRY/Nature Photographers
Image Size
3543x2414 / 7.1MB
www.naturephotographers.co.uk
Contained in galleries
REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS
Adder Vipera berus Length 45-60cm Venomous snake. Hibernates October-March and sunbathes regularly in spring. Males perform wrestling ‘dances’ to determine access to females for mating. Sexes are similar but females are larger than males. Adult ground colour ranges from reddish brown, greenish yellow or grey to creamy buff. Almost all have a blackish zigzag line along back, anterior end of which looks arrowheaded and framed by inverted ‘V’ marking on head. Melanic ‘Black Adders’ also occur; commonest in N. Juvenile is similar but slender and usually reddish brown. Widespread but local, found on heaths, moors, open woodlands, rough grassland and coastal dunes. Easiest to see in early spring when basking.