The adder is a small, beautifully marked snake. A typical male is silvery grey with a distinct black zigzag running down its back, the female is a reddish brown with a less distinct zigzag marking.

The adder is a venomous snake and must therefore be treated with the utmost respect, but it does not deserve its rather fearsome reputation nor the centuries of cruel and irrational persecution it has suffered at the hands of ill-informed people. In fact the adder is timid and non-aggressive and will only bite if severely provoked. 

It is all the more vital that we protect the adder now and particularly in Scotland where it is our only native snake.

The habitats chosen by adders are similar to those used by the lizards in Scotland, however adders tend to be more shy and will generally avoid the presence of humans.

The adder feeds on small mammals and lizards. There are old records of the adder in the Pentland Hills, however, it has not been recorded there in many years. This species of snake can sometimes be found in fairly large numbers both within the Lothians and around Scotland, which may well  be a UK stronghold for this species

Baby Adder                                                                                                                                                     Stephen Clark