Adder facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Adder |
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Vipera
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V. berus
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| Vipera berus (Linnaeus, 1758)
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The Adder, also known as Vipera berus, is a type of venomous snake. It's a viper found across a huge area, from Western Europe all the way to East Asia. In places like the British Isles, it's the only venomous snake you'll find!
Adders are not usually dangerous. They are not aggressive and only bite if they feel scared or bothered. Their bites can be painful, but they are almost never deadly. Even though they are not in danger of disappearing, adders are protected in some countries.
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What Does an Adder Look Like?
Adult adders usually grow to about 60 centimeters (24 inches) long. The biggest ones, found in Scandinavia, can be around 90–104 centimeters (35–41 inches). In places like France and Great Britain, they reach about 80–87 centimeters (31–34 inches). They weigh from about 50 grams (1.8 ounces) to 180 grams (6.3 ounces). Their heads are quite big, with flat sides and a slightly raised snout.
It's unusual for snakes, but you can often tell male and female adders apart by their colors! Females are usually brownish with dark-brown patterns. Males are typically pure grey with black patterns.
Adders can also have two different color types, called morphs. The most common type has a dark stripe with crossbars along its back, on a lighter body. The other type is called the melanistic morph, which means the snake is very dark all over. This dark morph is more common in female adders.
Where Do Adders Live?
Adders live in many different places across Europe and Asia. You can find them in northwestern Europe, including Great Britain, Scandinavia, Germany, and France. They also live in southern Europe, like Italy, Albania, Croatia, Republic of Macedonia, Bulgaria, and northern Greece.
Their range extends across eastern Europe and into Russia, all the way to the Pacific Ocean. They can even be found in places like Sakhalin Island, North Korea, northern Mongolia, and northern China. In many European countries, the adder is the only native venomous snake.
What Do Adders Eat?
Adders mainly eat small mammals. This includes animals like mice, voles, shrews, and sometimes even weasels and moles.
They also enjoy eating slow worms and lizards. Sometimes, they will hunt amphibians like frogs, newts, and salamanders. There have even been stories of adders eating birds, especially young birds in nests or their eggs. Once an adder grows to about 30 centimeters (1 foot) long, it starts eating the same kinds of food as adult adders.
Images for kids
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V. berus
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V. berus female
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V. berus male
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V. berus female; head detail.
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V. berus – showing strongly keeled scales on dorsal area.
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Vipera berus - Venom delivery apparatus
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Vipera berus; the one erect fang has left a small venom stain on the glove.
See Also
In Spanish: Víbora común europea para niños
