Snake!

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Snake!

by SeasideMan ^Pro @ 03/08/08 – 11:04:27

That’s an Adder, and it’s under a bush in our garden. Sorry it’s not too good a picture, but it was dark under than bush and I daren’t stick my hand in front of it’s face in case I woke it and my hand got bitten. I hadn’t given a thought before that there might be snakes here by the seaside, but it seems they are reasonably numerous, probably because of the bog the other side of the village - the non-sea-side. This bog, in fact:

That’s something to give you pause whilst weeding the borders…

Cheers, Tom.
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- garden
- photography
- gardening
- snake
- bog
- adder

31 Comments to Snake!

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- kevinwilson ^Pro
- 03/08/08 @ 11:10:28
i sometimes see them basking in the sun on the clifftop, though they are quite elusive. you did well to catch a picture.
- - SeasideMan ^Pro
  - 03/08/08 @ 12:01:53
  Oh, I didn't realise they were elusive. I must try and take more pictures of the slithery chappie then.
  
  Tom.
  - - QueeneMab
    - 05/08/08 @ 23:15:58
    They are quite rare, possibly protected these days. Used to get them around here very occasionally when I was a kid, around the forest ponds and ditches (and grass snakes too) but I haven't seen one for years.
    - - SeasideMan ^Pro
      - 05/08/08 @ 23:42:06
      Thanks, I didn't know they might have protected status because of rarity. I think I'll look into that tomorrow.
      
      Cheers, Tom.
      - QueeneMab
        
        05/08/08 @ 23:51:41
        
        http://www.adder.org.uk/
        
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        SeasideMan ^Pro
        
        06/08/08 @ 00:05:47
        
        Cheers - my adder (male apparently) is now entered :-)
        
        Many thanks, Tom.
        
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        QueeneMab
        
        06/08/08 @ 06:42:55
        
        My pleasure.
        
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- jenray ^Pro
- http://www.jenniferhunter.co.uk
- 03/08/08 @ 11:58:24
Hmmm...definitely to be avoided, but I believe they're shy creatures and would rather move away than attack...not for the garden though...LOL...GBHs...
- - SeasideMan ^Pro
  - 03/08/08 @ 12:06:15
  I'll be seeking him carefully in the garden for the next few weeks now. I just hope the dogs don't see it and try and attack it!
  
  Tom.
  - - jenray ^Pro
    - http://www.jenniferhunter.co.uk
    - 03/08/08 @ 12:53:49
    I bet you will...LOL...I would suggest you ask somebody who knows how to remove him if you find him again...not really safe for you or the animals to have an adder in the garden...GBHs..
    - - SeasideMan ^Pro
      - 03/08/08 @ 13:19:51
      I took that picture of him yesterday and today he doesn't seem to be around any more. Probably the dogs have scared him away.
      
      Tom.
      - jenray ^Pro
        
        http://www.jenniferhunter.co.uk
        
        03/08/08 @ 14:43:31
        
        They don't usually stick around if they're disturbed...let's hope it's gone for all your sakes...GBHs.
        
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- (Visitor)
- 03/08/08 @ 16:13:21
Brave of you to take the photo - have only seen one and luckily it was dead (I think)

Jan

www.breakawaywriters.blog.co.uk/
- - SeasideMan ^Pro
  - 03/08/08 @ 16:20:33
  I've checked and apparently they are quite common here because of the bog-land to the rear. I will have to be careful from now on!
  
  Tom.
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- AmethystLady ^Pro
- 03/08/08 @ 16:39:55
How fantastic is that to get a picture of one!
We have lots up in the firehills and cliff areas of Fairlight.
Hugs, Kelly
- - SeasideMan ^Pro
  - 03/08/08 @ 16:46:40
  I was pretty chuffed :-)
  
  It's gone now though...
  
  Tom.
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- skip2468
- 03/08/08 @ 23:10:39
We are lucky. We have no snakes in the wild.
- - SeasideMan ^Pro
  - 03/08/08 @ 23:16:31
  Thanks Skip, I didn't know that NZ was so free of snakes. Thankfully, Adders are the only ones we get here and the bites are no worse than wasp stings.
  
  Cheers, Tom.
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- MissyMouse
- 04/08/08 @ 00:17:10
Ooooh 'er!!
What a surprise to find that in the bushes!!

xx
- - SeasideMan ^Pro
  - 04/08/08 @ 00:18:14
  Thankfully, it was Helen's surprise, not mine :-)
  
  Tom.
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- mjohnson
- 04/08/08 @ 12:07:04
They're quite rare aren't they. I've never even seen one let alone photographed one. You're lucky.
- - SeasideMan ^Pro
  - 04/08/08 @ 12:17:24
  I think they are generally quite rare, although they are reasonably common in this area because of the bog behind the village.
  
  I bet I never see one again.
  
  Tom.
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- kendersrule ^Pro
- 04/08/08 @ 17:53:25
woah! not something I'd like to find in a garden!
In a nice glass case, certainly! How did you actually find it anyway? Dogs sniff it out?
- - SeasideMan ^Pro
  - 04/08/08 @ 18:07:18
  It hissed at Helen when she was pottering round in the garden. Gave her a bit of a fright!
  
  Tom.
  - - kendersrule ^Pro
    - 04/08/08 @ 18:15:43
    yeeeees... I would have yelped and got a spade... then phoned the RSPCA or something. May have ventured into removing the menace, if I had a convenient container of sturdiness anyway!
    
    Why do I not feel I'd be at all bothered by a panther in my garden..? Is a lot more dangerous than an adder! Oh I know, it's a hell of a lot easier to see
    - - SeasideMan ^Pro
      - 04/08/08 @ 18:27:32
      With a sturdy pair of welding gloves to hand, I would have attempted removal. As it was, I reckoned the smell of our dogs would be enought to shift it and...it's gone. With a panther in the garden I'd be blockading the doors and windows rather well!
      
      Tom.
      - kendersrule ^Pro
        
        04/08/08 @ 18:30:03
        
        Hmm I'd prob attempt to pet the panther self preservation part of brain clicks off around large cats
        
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- hebburndelboy
- http://hebburndelboy.blog.co.uk
- 05/08/08 @ 11:45:26
I didn't know there was snakes in britain. scary.
- - SeasideMan ^Pro
  - 05/08/08 @ 11:58:59
  Oh yes! They are particularly common near sand dunes. That's why we have them here anyway. They DO bite and they ARE poisonous, but it's not too serious - you probably wouldn't die from a bite.
  
  Tom.
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- antlady69 ^Pro
- http://antmusic-forever.blog.co.uk
- 07/08/08 @ 17:45:26
Snakes are absolutely fascinating. I don't think you really have to be scared of them, they are not interested in humans. As long as you don't step on one ...
- - SeasideMan ^Pro
  - 07/08/08 @ 18:10:55
  Helen almost did step on it, which is how she found it in the first place. I agree, they are fascinating and I'd like to see more of them. But even here where it's natural Adder habitat, they are still, and increasingly so, rare.
  
  Tom.
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