The Adder is the UK’s only native venomous snake. They hibernate over the winter months and emerge during the spring, putting dogs at increased risk during the summer months when the weather is generally warmer.
Adders like to bask in the sun which puts you and your dog at risk when out walking. Adders only tend to bite in self-defence when they are stepped on accidentally or otherwise disturbed. Adder bites can be dangerous to dogs and humans as they can cause lameness, vomiting and increases in heart rate and blood pressure.
An adder bite shows up as a dark swelling which increases in size. If you think your dog has been bitten, seek immediate veterinary assistance.
Most dogs survive adder bites but you can reduce the risk by following these 3 Golden Rules
:
- Remember that your dog is most at risk when adders are basking in the sun in the early afternoon
- If you see an adder in your garden, or when out walking, leave it alone! The adder is a protected species in the UK and it is illegal to harm or kill them
- If your dog is bitten by an adder, seek veterinary assistance as soon as possible – don’t be tempted to use a tourniquet as this can often make things worse.
Adders are relatively small, stocky snakes which prefer woodland, heathland and moorland habitat. They are grey or reddish brown, with a darker and very distinct zig-zag pattern down their backs. Rarer black forms are also sometimes spotted.
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Beware of Adders When Walking With Your Dog[/caption]
Facts about Adders
Behaviour
Adders hibernate from October, emerging in the first warm days of March, which is the easiest time of year to find them basking on a log or under a warm rock.
They hunt lizards and small mammals, as well as ground-nesting birds such as skylark and meadow pipit.
Size
Length: 65cm
Weight: 50-180g
Status
Protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and classified as a Priority Species in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan.
Distribution
Widespread across the Scottish mainland, but not found on many of the Scottish islands.
When to see
March – October
Facts
The adder is Britain’s only venomous snake, but its poison is generally of little danger to humans: an adder bite can be very painful and cause a nasty inflammation, but is really only dangerous to the very young, ill or old.
Adders are secretive animals that prefer to slither off into the undergrowth than confront and bite humans and domestic animals; most attacks happen when they are trodden on or picked up. Instead, they use their venom to immobilise and kill their prey of small mammals, nestlings and lizards.
Average lifespan: 8-10 years
Articles and Information from The Good Vet & Pet Guide and The Scottish Wildlife Trust
