Have you ever seen a (wild) snake in the UK?
Posted by Mundane-Topic-8214@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 406 comments
I saw an adder today for the first time ever.
I've never seen a snake in the wild in the UK before. Felt very odd. I suppose I've always known we have snakes, but I've never seen one.
Do other people (perhaps in certain parts of the country) ever see snakes semi-regularly?
Equivalent_Rest8499@reddit
symbister@reddit
Fairly common to see adders and grass snakes on the south downs, and have seen a few on the high weald around Horsham. Slow worms are very common too in the Brighton area, although they aren't technically snakes but legless lizards.
loveswimmingpools@reddit
Grass snakes are seen a lot in the east of England. I saw one winding across the road last year. It was very long.
thecurtehs@reddit
I remember seeing one in Cornwall when I was a kid
miggleb@reddit
Outside school like 20 years ago
Whole yard went mad
glytxh@reddit
I loved the chaos a random dog or cat in the school yard would bring upon a school.
miggleb@reddit
Was a pigeon in the classroom once, was fucking mental
glytxh@reddit
That would have been absolute anarchy for at least half the day at my school
Dear_Hornet_2635@reddit
Ditto! Huge great thing winding along an alley on the other side of the school fence in London
DoggyBairn@reddit
Swanning in the heat on some stones in Scotland. Maybe 4 of them. Many years ago - never since.
Whoppa-seagull@reddit
Just come forward from the tree , great pic.
Smart-Delay-7237@reddit
Uts terrifying
OkTechnician4610@reddit
Yes grass snakes quite often I live in a rural area.
Naive_Reach2007@reddit
Grass snake in my pond, clearly looking for the newts.
Doublebow@reddit
I saw a little den of adders in an old abandoned building in Galway forest park. I went to have a piss after setting up my tent on the side of a loch and nearly stood on one. I hate to admit but I screamed like a little girl, partially from fear, partially from excitement.
AirlineSevere7456@reddit
Seen plenty of grass snakes.
sockeyejo@reddit
Plenty of times. It's always a great thrill as they're so good at detecting when we're about and hiding as they feel threatened. My favourite spot was an enormous grass snake on an area of heathland heading from the bushes towards the pond, presumably to look for frogs. It was beautiful.
Linkyjinx@reddit
Not seen frogs for a long time or tadpoles.
rabbithole-xyz@reddit
We have tree frogs here in Austria. We go to see them when they're mating because (as the name says) they climb up trees and hedges. Lovely little things.
NotSayingAliensBut@reddit
Yes, we have grass snakes and adders here in the middle of Somerset. I found a tiny grass snake on the path on a local nature reserve in February. It seemed too early for it to be out, I hope it made it.
swiz101@reddit
I’ve seen a couple of grass snakes swimming. I was shocked at how fast and well they swam! Pretty impressive for a dude with no arms or legs
NorthCountryLass@reddit
You made me laugh there :)
Prudent-Armadillo807@reddit
They are rapid!!!! I’ve watched them cross over a river in point 2!!! Don’t realise the speed they go until you witness it.
Difficult_System1264@reddit
Those markings make it look like it has a little collar on!
NorthCountryLass@reddit
No, never seen one in the wild. I know they live around here on heathland. I think I’d be a bit shocked to see one outside. They have every right to be there and to live their snake lives of course
DaVirus@reddit
Spot the adder. Taken last weekend.
overthesevernbridge@reddit
Am I the only person who cant see it?
Queeen0ftheHarpies@reddit
Here you go
lewisw1992@reddit
Damn, still can't make it out.
Queeen0ftheHarpies@reddit
Kind here
Dnny10bns@reddit
The more you look the bigger it gets. 😂
Dimac99@reddit
And not in the fun sort of way. 😬
Dull_Vanilla_2395@reddit
thebeast_96@reddit
I'm never walking through long grass again
gabs777@reddit
My god, that looks worse than I imagined
Lumpy_Benefit666@reddit
Im pretty proud to say it took me less than 3 seconds to spot it.
Whos gonna give me a pat on the back? Noone? Fine ill do it myself
liltrex94@reddit
I've seen a few adders. Very hard to spot
Now my question for OP is, how many sand lizards have they found on the beach? I had exactly 1 last year at durdle door. Tiny little thing crawled all over me, I felt so privileged.
They are so small, non aggressive and very fast.
Mundane-Topic-8214@reddit (OP)
Got it. Took me far too long, and if this was one of those 'spot the leopard' type situations, I would very definitely be dead.
DaVirus@reddit
They aren't that dangerous. It's more often than not like a bee sting.
Dimac99@reddit
Only if the snake chooses not to envenom whoever it bites. I'm not sure if adders are choosy although I know they don't usually want to bite. Some snake species can reserve their venom. Googling adders after a bite is probably a bit late.
An adder bite should always be treated at A&E. It's extremely unlikely to be fatal (last recorded death in UK was 1975) unless a person has an underlying condition but why take a chance? It is very likely to be very painful, very swollen and can lead to local infection and necrosis. A bite to the hand could easily cost a person fingers if the reaction resulted in swelling cutting off blood supply.
DaVirus@reddit
Literally everything you said about adder bites is valid for bee stings too...
Dimac99@reddit
If you want to go through life underestimating the danger of an adder bite, you do you. But don't go around telling people it's no more dangerous than a bee sting because that's dangerous nonsense.
DaVirus@reddit
Even by the time you factor in the probability of a sting/bite, no one has died from an adder since 75 and bees kill about 10 people a year...
I don't know why you are fighting me.
Dimac99@reddit
Apparently between 50 and 100 people are bitten by adders in the UK yearly. Nobody collects statistics on bee stings because they are so common and harmless to people who are not allergic. I bet 100+ people in my village are stung by bees every month outside of winter. Times that by all the other villages and towns…
You're comparing apples and oranges and dangerously suggesting people shouldn't seek immediate medical treatment. I can't imagine why anyone might disagree.
DaVirus@reddit
You know what, if my comments came across as "don't seek medical attention, it will be fine" instead of "don't panic, it will likely be fine" I will delete all my comments. That wasn't the point I was trying to make.
clutchnorris123@reddit
Yes because the same amount of people get bit by adders as they do bee stings, give yer head a wobble man. Telling people to not go to a&e after a venomous snake bite is the worst advice you could give yes they dry bite a lot of the time but what's the point taking the risk.
Dimac99@reddit
Dry bite, thank you. I knew there was a phrase for it but I couldn't put my finger on it.
CyborgGrasshopper@reddit
No bee stings don’t usually require a trip to A&E.
DaVirus@reddit
Neithei do most adder bites.
Acceptable-Sentence@reddit
If I got bit by an adder that’s the first place I’d go
DaVirus@reddit
But that isn't the same thing as it be actually dangerous. People over exaggerate and get scared, which is fine, but they would have been fine.
spearmint_wino@reddit
My mate Dave had to get his whole head amputated after getting bit on the nose by a Northumbrian Viper. 100% true story
Dependent_One6034@reddit
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/snake-bites/
DaVirus@reddit
You do know the first sentence on the list of that source is: "most snake bites in the UK aren't serious", right?
Dependent_One6034@reddit
Sure. Now what does the second bit say?
Mundane-Topic-8214@reddit (OP)
I meant if it was a leopard I'd be dead, like those 'there's a leopard in this photo, can you see it?' photos. Definitely dangerous.
WanderingBasenji@reddit
What a beauty
jawide626@reddit
r/findthesniper material
OkFlow1178@reddit
What part of the UK are you in? We supposedly have them in Somerset but even as an avid walker I’ve never seen one
NotSayingAliensBut@reddit
There's been a couple of sightings just on the path at Shapwick Heath in the last couple of weeks. I didn't know we had any down on the levels. Priddy Minories is the usual place, and I assume in Stockhill as well. I like seeing the lizards there in the summer.
DaVirus@reddit
South Wales.
doegrey@reddit
Where was that?
Aghhhdvark@reddit
Happy cake day! What a beautiful snake.
LEVI_TROUTS@reddit
Went for a nights camping with a friend and our kids. They were about 2 at the time.
Went for a walk the next day, around Cuddy's Cave in Northumberland.
My son had a wee next to a bush.
I took a look to see where he was weeing and there was an adder on the floor right next to where he'd been.
EpponeeRae@reddit
Oh my goodness, you're so lucky to get to see that!!
Sea-Salamander-5222@reddit
Oh wow!
Do_You_Like_Owls@reddit
Yes but I was psychotic from meth and not sleeping for 5 days hiding in a bush from zombies.
So it may not have been a real adder.
Dimac99@reddit
Adders hide from zombies too.
GoodTato@reddit
Like man zombies or adder zombies?
Dimac99@reddit
Both, if they're sensible.
franki-pinks@reddit
I’ve seen a couple in Sherwood Forest. They were more scared of me
Purple-Boot-3680@reddit
Im yet to see a snake I the UK in 20 years if living here (notts). I may have to take a stroll to Sherwood.
LilacScentedStoat@reddit
A couple. Most recently when I was just walking the dog up a path in Buttfuck Nowhere. Trees either side, little stream running etc. a little black snake was just sorting of chilling in the shade under a little bush by the stream.
He watched us as we walked by, I turned to look again and he was gone.
spherechucker@reddit
Little black snake could have been a slow worm.
Disclaimer: I've never seen a snake in the wild. Seen a couple of lizards, one on a path on the north side of Kinder, just below Gate Side Clough (about 25 years ago, so don't dash out to see it) and one, fleetingly, in my back garden a few weeks ago although as my neighbour has newts in her pond it could have been one of them.
sm3g-h3ad@reddit
I have a very fond memory of seeing one swimming in the river at Ingram Valley in the north east when I was a kid with my dad. We took a photo of it and think I still have it somewhere.
Sad_Spread_9883@reddit
Loads of adders a few smooth snakes.
Ceejayncl@reddit
No, but growing up we had fields behind our houses and every other kid has claimed to seen a grass snake.
GlitteringTurd@reddit
Lots in West Dorset. In our pond last year I saw multiple 3 inch baby grass snakes and lots of foot long ones and one 3 foot one!
I was driving some local lanes last year and there was what I thought was a piece of baler twine across the entire road, just as I drove over it it constricted its body and I realised it was a huge grass snake, 6 feet at least. Saw it slithering away after.
Only seen one adder ever and I'm pretty old
thefishstolemysalad@reddit
Yes, I was chilling out with my partner in some shady trees last summer, as we’re sat there we look at what’s rustling nearby and watch as a grass snake casually slithers right by us. I’d never seen one in the wild before so I was very excited.
No_Yogurtcloset8315@reddit
I have friends in Norfolk and there is an adder, I'm fairly sure it's the same one that we see basking in the same spot when we go walking in the fields. Beautiful creature. One time walking the Pembrokeshire coastal Path I was scrambling up a steep bit and put my hand onto a grass snake/smooth worm, another lovely creature
Revolutionary_West56@reddit
Wow! Whereabouts ? I saw a grass snake in lockdown, but that’s the only time
Significant-HuntAttK@reddit
Yesss! I accidentally cycled through a whole 'snake nest' on a hardly used towpath along a busy a road through a forest... I freaked me out,!! 😱😱😱
Pebbley@reddit
The Isle of Wight is plagued by Adders, the ambulances here carry an anti venom drug, adders tend to bathe in the open when Spring is here, to get the warmth of the early sun.
Though on average just a few bites are recorded each year, and its mostly dogs thatget bitten. Mind you, if your sitting on a public bench placed on grass, check underneath before kicking your heels back.
DookuDonuts@reddit
My ex partner!
msully89@reddit
Never seen one, always wanted to though.
I have seen a lizard however
Elysiumthistime@reddit
Yes! In Wales, near Anglesey from memory. It was in some marram grass on a sand dune :)
Specialist_Emu7274@reddit
Not semi-regularly now really but I grew up rurally so saw them a lot more. There was one spot in our garden where a grass snake lived. My dog was bitten by a snake on his nose he had two ‘fang marks’
Obvious-Water569@reddit
Once. A little one near the north Wales coast probably 15 years ago.
CarpeCyprinidae@reddit
I live in the Chilterns. Not unusual to see grass snakes skittering out of the way on country footpaths on warm afternoons - saw a three-footer swimming in the River Chess once too
dannydrama@reddit
I've seen a few grass snakes and been bitten by an ungrateful adder, should have just left the prick on the road in all honesty. I have shit luck with the very few, very mildly venomous animals we have here. 😭
gabs777@reddit
I have years ago though when I was little kid, somewhere round Oxfordshire. I hate snakes, so I certainly never, ever want to encounter one in the wild and defo not in the UK. They are horrible creatures in every sense :)
LemmysCodPiece@reddit
Yes, many times.
NinjafoxVCB@reddit
Seen grass snakes pretty regularly in East Anglia. Not seen an adder but know they are about
Sea-Payment-8989@reddit
A few years ago I disturbed a large barred grass snake, (about 3 feet long). in our back garden, which spent most of it's time in our ponds which had been populated with frogs and newts, along with different species of fish. The fish treated it with distain and all survived but decimated the frogs and newts whiled]st it wa there for about a week until it disappeared.
No_Art_1977@reddit
Yes, where I work there is a large grounds and loads of them nesting there. Seen mainly grads and adders
Mundane_Top_338@reddit
See them all the time in north wales
Ill-Basil2863@reddit
Yes, twice. Both adders, both dead. In Northumberland.
zonked282@reddit
really depends on where you are, i grew up in the forest of dean and wales and never saw one, but when i went up to the remote west of Scotland in the summer they were fairly common
Alexander-Wright@reddit
Plenty on Dartmoor, but difficult to spot.
Ok-Blackberry-3534@reddit
Oddly enough the last adder I saw was in the Forest of Dean.
Odd_Championship7286@reddit
Haha yeah the last one I saw was in Wales
zonked282@reddit
ive not been for about 20 years but i am thrilled to hear that they are there!
something about a snake in the uk just seems so out of place and exciting, its always a treat when you did see one!
Hertstom@reddit
I spent ages looking for reptiles around forest of dean heaths and found common lizards but it felt super snakey on the sandy heaths
Ok-Blackberry-3534@reddit
I actually saw it in the woods. It was slithering through dry leaves, so I knew it was there before I saw it.
cheflifecdf@reddit
I live in Cardiff and saw a few last summer!
ComfortableWish@reddit
I’ve seen one once near Aviemore in the summer
SuperDinkle406@reddit
Yes, a few times. But very rare.
Killybug@reddit
Wild? The snake that I caught was absolutely livid!
Stefgrep66@reddit
Not for years.
Adders were pretty common when I lived on Anglesey in the mid 70s.
I can't remember seeing another since then though.
Johny_boii2@reddit
I saw a few adders when I did a national trust club thing. I haven't seen one since, but i did see a skinny looking one a few weeks back
Batteredsoss@reddit
Yeah see the odd one.
Slow worms see more often but not actually a snake just looks like one.
I’ve had a lizard in the garden once.
NugzYKnot@reddit
I've seen three dead lizards in my little village in Wiltshire, never a live one though.
I'd love to see a slow worm!
Ok-Explanation1990@reddit
Cats like killing lizards, unfortunately.
Distinct-Sea3012@reddit
We had a sand lizard once when we were living in a new build. And a slow worm set up home in our compost heap too.
AnnieByniaeth@reddit
Mid Wales here (Ceredigion). I rescued a lizard from the local stray cat just 2 days ago (we have loads of newts but this was the first common lizard I've seen in my 28 years here). I found a slow worm under a stone just yesterday; not the first here, but I've only seen one or two others.
But I've never seen a true snake here. When I was in my teens I nearly stepped on an adder in south Wiltshire; it was basking in the sun and I had to lengthen my stride to avoid it.
Linkyjinx@reddit
Cool yes seen lizards often in Somerset, they like the old farm walls. Also adders in many gardens and places with long grass.
Hertstom@reddit
That sounds an awesome area as its not common to often see adders
Ok-Explanation1990@reddit
I live near the south coast. There is literally a nest of them just up the road from me. Quite often we see one basking on a local footpath.
fozzybear706@reddit
Yeah, I had a grass snake at work a few years ago. I think they're quite regular in old glasshouses as they're warm and damp.
PublicPomegranate630@reddit
My friend sent me this the other day.
She is near Colchester in the UK.
Gildor12@reddit
Yes, more grass snakes than adders but seen both
WormsEatShit@reddit
I go fishing quite a lot and in summer I do see quite a few grass snakes swimming on the water surface.
Vequihellin@reddit
Did see a small adder once. Respectfully gave it a wide berth and carried on my merry way. I was walking across a field towards a dune/beach type area. Most of the time I see slow worms, which are legless lizards and often mistaken for snakes. We have a small population of them in our garden and I overheard next doors kids screaming and carrying on about 'seeing a snake' yesterday. They are the type who scream that high pitched kid scream at everything so I rolled my eyes and didn't bother correcting them. I hope our little slow worm friend escaped their garden safely.
Money-Feeling@reddit
It's nice that we add to the snake / lizard confusion by calling them worms 🤣
Anxious_Baker_92@reddit
Never seen a slow worm myself, would love to! My dad used to collect them up when he was a boy 😅
agingbiker@reddit
occasional grass snakes and (yes not true snake but hey) slow worms in trent park in north enfield. rare though - they're about but hard to spot
ERTCF53@reddit
Nearest I've seen is a shed skin in Cornwall, and that gave me the jitters .
Guava-Choice@reddit
Had a fairly large one on my grandmas driveway a few years back! First and only time seeing one in the wild!
Guava-Choice@reddit
Can’t share videos, but this is the other end!
Myopic_Mirror@reddit
Once i was sitting by a lake and a snake came out of nowhere and was swimming towards me. Crazy because one, very unexpected to see a snake and two, seeing a snake swim was really strange
DrachenDad@reddit
A couple adders.
Prudent-Armadillo807@reddit
I’m in the west coast of Scotland and live on the Isle of Arran. I see Adders often. Mainly sunning themselves atop a manmade shingle wall. They heat up quick on them n need to before hunting.
I’ve seen over 20, all males and 1 or 2 females I think. Seen this a few times. Mating season.
If you ever want to see snakes find out where they are and if nocturnal or not. Then go up a Forestry or across fields to man made walls, cut shingle walls or old flat rocks that heat up quick are the best place to look.
I had one in front of me the other day as I was walking down a path. I seen a buzzard take one last week, the same buzzard comes to visit me for his fish and meat. She is a yearling I think, she is away a couple days at a time now and never done that before. Hopefully she will be back with a boyfriend and they breed. Her nest I can see from my room. It’s awesome here for wildlife. The birds of prey, the owls, the otters and deer are everywhere. No hedgehogs or foxes on Arran. 56 miles around the island. Kings cave is where Robert the Bruce hid from the English when the spider kept breaking its web but no matter, kept on building until finally, it was built. This inspiration gave the Bruce balls to fight the English at Bannockburn with a 10-1 odds against of armoured men and a heavy artillery of horsemen. This led to the declaration of Arbroath in 1314.
Go1gotha@reddit
When I was a boy, I used to see them all the time. I lived on the North-West Coast of Scotland.
Distinct-Sea3012@reddit
I was sitting on a river bank with my husband once about a grass snake just crawled across my legs. Slithered? Of course they are not slimy so..
One_Complex6429@reddit
Grass snakes and adders. Also sloworms, though they are legless lizards I believe.
Advanced_Swing5657@reddit
Live in the midlands in the UK . In all my years of being out with the dogs ( 30 years or so ) have only ever saw one grass snake and one shedded skin ( adder or grass snake ) .
Prestigious_Carpet29@reddit
Yes, seen grass snakes and/or adders on the outskirts of Cambridge, in wooded areas near streams/small rivers a handful of times. Once in my garden, south Cambridge, also in Devon.
Mammoth-Turnip-3058@reddit
When Iived in Cornwall I'm sure I saw one basking in the sun on a road. Can't be sure though.
RaspberryJammm@reddit
Saw a grass snake in my garden last year. It was inches away from me in a bush.
OldRancidOrange@reddit
Adder crossing a path is unusual while walking on Dartmoor but I’ve seen several in the years I’ve been walking the moors
tcpukl@reddit
Lots of Adders.
Slow worms as well, but they aren't snakes.
27106_4life@reddit
Yes. In Hertfordshire
jack_watson97@reddit
Never! Although when I was about 10 we had a corn snake escape. Gave it up as probably dead and got another. About 6 months later my mum opened the back door to find the original snake in the gap between the door and the frame, she near shit herself.
Also a couple years before when we first moved in to the family home the entire garden was constantly absolutely infested with slow worms. We'd go out every morning to 4 or 5 of them dead and in half over the garden because of our bloody cats
jerrybrea@reddit
West Cornwall often see adders.
LevelFish7771@reddit
Yes a couple of times. Once i was riding my bike and it just darted across the track.
Branchy28@reddit
Nope, I hope I do see one here someday, I love snakes!
Closest I've come is seeing a ton of lizards while rock climbing in Portland though :D
Decard_Pain@reddit
I've seen a whole one and also two tiny scorpions.
GreenWoodDragon@reddit
I caught a large grass snake in Richmond Park once, and another one in Norfolk that had just swum across a river. Both times I was with one of my sons so they got to see the snakes close up.
ashpotato16@reddit
Spotted my first snake about two weeks ago (Northamptonshire, England)
snozberryface@reddit
Nearly stepped on an Adder playing golf once in Surrey
MoonChaser22@reddit
I grew up in the countryside and have seen a couple of grass snakes sunning themselves on the pavement over the years. The best one was when I was a kid. The neighbours knew we kept pet snakes but were totally ignorant of the UK having snakes. The wife comes over with a pint glass with a coaster on top, holding it at arms length, utterly terrified and asks my mum "is this one of yours?" Inside was the most adorable baby grass snake I'd ever seen. My mum explained it was wild but thanked her for asking, casually decanted the snake on to her hand and said we'll handle releasing it away from the housing estate.
Jacktheforkie@reddit
I’m in Dover, I’ve seen a handful of native snakes, adders are generally pretty good about staying out of the way if you walk with a heavy step, the vibrations alert them to your location and they’ll slither away, they don’t want to bother you
reddiuniquefool@reddit
I've seen one adder, and about three or four grass snakes.
cwaig2021@reddit
We get loads of snakes in our back garden. It’s on a hillside - when I replaced some rotting railway sleeper steps a year ago it looked like that scene from Raiders of the Lost Arc (snakes all over the place).
There’s a sign at the entrance to my son’s rugby club warning people to beware of adders too….
AliveAd2219@reddit
Yes. By a lake near Northampton. A young adder.
SeasonReasonable4282@reddit
Growing in the 60s - 70s, in southern England, you would quite often see Adders and Slowworms.
Nevernonethewiser@reddit
No!
Not for lack of trying. When I was living in Dorset I looked up and even asked around for locations that were likely to have adders and I still never saw one!
I love up north now, so I'm even less likely to see one.
It is very disappointing.
slightleee@reddit
I was in the rapids at longleet centre parks. There was a snake in the water in front of me! I've never tried back paddling so fast in my life. We both got to the end at the same time, but I got out first!
Key-Diamond-5504@reddit
Yes, I grew up on the edge of a big forest in north London. When I was about 19 I went walking through there for a joint (enjoyed it back in the day) and a grass snake slithered over my boot. I’ve never run so fast in my entire life and it solidified my phobia of snakes. Definitely didn’t help that I was stoned.
L0gic_Laden@reddit
I have seen a wild adder once maybe 14 years ago.
We were walking the dog and at the most exciting part of the walk was a really steep ditch which I would run down on the less steep side and try to climb up on the steep side. I had just started climbing up and my dog was behind me (she would casually climb past me as if to mock me) and she yelped really loud, turn around and there's a snake scurrying away.
Took her to the vets, found out it was an adder, the side of her face was MASSIVE for a few days and she was perfectly fine after that.
NotSayingAliensBut@reddit
Was there any treatment, or antivenom?
L0gic_Laden@reddit
Honestly I don't know for sure because I was like 8. I just remember how swollen the side of her face was.
I dont remember anything about anti venom and she didn't stay at the vets overnight or anything so I would guess just a shit load of painkillers.
NotSayingAliensBut@reddit
I asked because I realised I didn't know. I don't have a dog but it's the kind of thing it could be useful to know.
Character-Clue5840@reddit
I caught a small snake in our back garden once. He didn't look happy but I wouldn't say he was wild.
PlayfulHoneydew9542@reddit
I live in Cornwall by the coast and I see loads in the summer, basking in the hot sand, they are so camouflage in the marramgrass! A lot of beaches have warning signs. Kinda cool, first time I seen one I was expecting eating it to be huge, they were smaller than I thought they would be!
thisisappropriate@reddit
Saw a grass snake in a local pond a few years ago and most years, someone unearths a clutch of snake eggs in the allotments nearby (usually in a compost bin) or finds a good size shed skin.
KingPing43@reddit
Yeah I saw an adder when I was hiking in Wales, I was quite shocked at how big it was. I didn’t think snakes more than half a metre or so existed in the Uk
NotSayingAliensBut@reddit
Grass snakes can be much bigger than adders. A few years ago I picked one up out of a road I was cycling on. It had a hole in its side, I assumed a buzzard or something had had a go at it. It was still alive and slithered off. It was about five feet long.
_Daftest_@reddit
Saw one in the New Forest about 45 years ago
acceberbex@reddit
Yep several. East Anglia and walk in forests and heathland a lot with the dogs. I couldn't confidently say what I've seen but slithery things whipping off the edge of a path or into the water. Seen a few dead ones as well. And slow worms. Luckily, never had an incident with any snake and the dogs
G-reeper66@reddit
Lots on the Gower where we take our dogs for a walk.
Resident_Situation98@reddit
We're close to Merthyr Mawr and there's quite a lot around there too
dopexvii@reddit
Ran a footgolf course for a couple of years, used to find them in the holes, guess they'd go in and not be able to get out
reader270@reddit
I saw a beheaded adder when staying on a farm in Scotland. The farmer had got to it before the snake got to the sheep. Not sure why he left its body out. Maybe a warning to other snakes…
Dimac99@reddit
Snakes in the UK have no interest in sheep, not even lambs. That's bizarre. Also illegal as adders are a protected species. I wouldn't have a qualm about reporting that farmer.
reader270@reddit
This was about 40 years ago so the farmer is long gone I’m afraid
Dimac99@reddit
You're not going to go back in your time machine and do the right thing? Shame on you!
AceStrawberryWolf@reddit
Yeah seen one once, was werid. In Whitehaven
No_Penalty841@reddit
Not lately since moved to brum sadly. Used to see an adder on daily coastal walk on the devon cliffs though. Was always sat on same rock in morning so used to just quietely pass n like to think it accepted i wasnt a threat.
Menyana@reddit
Yep. Few years ago now
perfectlyclear69@reddit
Yes, about 40 years ago in the St Osyth area of Essex.
CautiousCat24@reddit
Spotted this time last year
TheSBW@reddit
twice in nearly 60 years
inevitablelizard@reddit
Seen adders a few times around the North York Moors, but not a common sight. I once saw three of them sat out on a track. Seen possible breeding pairs in one particular spot more than once. Once found a baby one and had to move it off a path mountain bikers use.
I've occasionally seen slow worms which aren't technically snakes but look similar, even saw one eating a caterpillar once.
Status-Mousse5700@reddit
An adder on a school trip I think in Wales about 50 years ago
simonk1905@reddit
Yes.
I live in Surrey and have seen several grass snakes.
And even a slow worm and before the pendants like on I know it isn't a snake....
Amazing-Heron-105@reddit
Only slow worms for me, my mum put one in my bed once was a bit of a shock to wake up to.
Hellsbells130@reddit
I spend my life outdoors and have never seen one. I’m down in the South West. I’m always amazed I haven’t. Know plenty of people who have. See plenty of slow worms and other wild life. Just never an Adder!
mytimeisnow@reddit
Frensham little pond in Surrey, in the summer time seeing an adder is guaranteed.
G7VFY@reddit
Not without legs.
I have never seen any in the UK, Grass snake or adder.
peterchekhov@reddit
Yes, but very rarely unfortunately. Last one I saw was in a large graveyard, which is sort of ideal for them, as a quiet environment and is rarely changed.
We live in one of the most nature and biodiversity depleted countries in the world.
Substantial-Job-110@reddit
Seen two in the 90s. Feel personally betrayed by all the country walk signs I see saying I might spot a snake. Never :(
simply_smigs@reddit
Snake and lizard combo
Avox0976@reddit
Yes once in Richmond park
BarnytheBrit@reddit
Not for about 30 years but it was an adder that my mother almost trod on. Basking on a path in the middle of a walk lol
thehoneybadger1223@reddit
Once, I was in a small place called Finchale Abbey on a school trip, its a large Monastry and it has a large park and wooded area nearby. We saw a snake go by then disappear into the bushes. We taunted the other class of course, because they didn't see it, and everyone kept swearing that it was an Adder.
Idk what type it was, it could well have been, but there are two other snake species it could also have been. I'm afraid my memory of the colours and pattern is a little faded after some odd 20 years or so, but I've never seen another in the wild since.
pixeltash@reddit
My husband is terrified of snakes, so if course he was the one to spot the adder we encountered in a Kentish vineyard. It was making a very fast exit and I was gutted as would have loved to have seen a wild adder.
He did save me and the shop staff from an absolutely massive spider later on the same visit, and scored us a staff discount for his good deed.
I've seen slow worms and lizards lots of times, even in my town back garden.
Puzzleheaded_Ad9110@reddit
I've never seen one in all my days unless it was dead. And then that was only once
jonpenryn@reddit
Cornwall and i have seen snakes and lizards but id agree they seem alien, so different in movement and shape.
SwordTaster@reddit
Yeah, grass snake in Thetford forest. Almost ran it over on a bike
dantes_b1tch@reddit
Yup. For a few years running I was getting grass snakes in my pond. They wiped out the newts and frogs living here.
Was a hell of a shock seeing it as my area is quite built up
Independent-Code8621@reddit
Seen quite a few in Dalby Forest… including a nest with 9 baby adders!
boddle88@reddit
Yes an adder in Cumbria .
Glenn_K_throwaway2k@reddit
I have only ever seen a grass snake IRL, I have never seen an Adder or Smooth snake.
Also seen a few slow-worms, lizards and frogs.
Hackerssuck3@reddit
I’m not sure if it counts but I found a frozen grass snake in January (West Berkshire). Once I almost stood on an adder that was sunning itself on a path in South Devon.
slothliketendencies@reddit
I would always know there was a snake by the speed of my dad legging it down the garden and the words being used I'd usually never hear 😂😂 apparently grass snakes loved our garden!
Outrageous_Shake2926@reddit
I remember seeing an Adder on St Boniface Down Isle of Wight in the early 1980s.
Little_st4r@reddit
Saw one last spring in woodland in Milton keynes
NightBusToGiro@reddit
TheWalrus8691@reddit
Not regularly. I'm nearly 40 and only ever seen some twice. Once as a kid and year or so ago. I was walking down common and saw a couple. Was very close before I spot it. Made me tread carefully. Was a nice sunny day in Norfolk. Semi wooded area
AgreeableEm@reddit
Yes, lots of adders in the Cairngorms.
MazerTanksYou@reddit
I'm in Northern Ireland, some lad called Pat took care of our snake problem.
MerchantofDoom@reddit
Saw a grass snake 2 years ago and saw a lizard yesterday which I posted
WildsmithRising@reddit
I've seen adders and grass snakes in the south of England, and grass snakes in Yorkshire. I know slow worms aren't snakes but I've seen lots of those too.
subversivepockets@reddit
My parents live in a town in Surrey - 5 minutes walk from the high street. I went to water their plants one day and instead of a hose found a grass snake down the side of their house
mjstokes85@reddit
My cat brought a grass snake in to the house once, seen loads down the river Erewash where I live.
xylophileuk@reddit
Yes! Saw two baby adders in Scotland and unfortunately a dead one on my coast to coast bike ride
Isgortio@reddit
I've never seen one out in the wild per se, but my cat caught one in the garden once. I thought it was a giant worm at first.
Sad-Curve-6744@reddit
Two years ago saw a snake around 6 foot long slither across a tarmac path that runs along the side of the Amazon lakes in Doncaster, near to Anabelle's cafe, height of summer and I was cycling, the lakes contain islands in the centre where there's a large number if nesting birds
Chuck1984ish@reddit
Live on a Scottish island, the golf course in the summer you'll play a round and be hard pushed not to see one.
smushs88@reddit
Yes, many years ago on a lunch break at work, walking back from the shops it slithered across the road and into a garden.
Defo not an adder though, from memory I recall it being dark, almost black and fairly long and slender.
Only one ever seen.
Benibonkers@reddit
Saw a grass snake swimming in the margins of a carp pond in Cheshire, still is a favourite UK wildlife encounter of mine.
One-Price680@reddit
Yes, about 20 years ago. Adder. Husband almost stepped on it with bare feet
Future_Direction5174@reddit
Yes.
I have seen wild snakes on four separate occasions.
Back in the 70’s my parents house was surrounded by heath land and had a small brook running through it. I saw a snake swimming across the brook. That heath is now a large housing estate and the brook now runs through a culvert under the houses. It eventually exits near an undeveloped heathland next to the Upper School. No idea which species as it’s too long ago.
My father caught a young adder on the Heath and I took it to school in an empty fish tank for our nature table so that the students could learn to identify adders.
In the late 70’s, when walking on the land near the school, an adder sunbathing on a footpath hissed at me. I recognised it because of the one I took to school that time.
Last year walking in a RSPB bird sanctuary a very large snake crossed the footpath. Looking at pictures, we think it was a grass snake due to its size.
ÑOT A SNAKE but looks like one - our garden has a lot of slowworms. Baby ones are bronze, adults are silver. They are smaller than adders and are actually legless lizards.
I didn’t see it, but our German Shepherd got bitten inside her mouth by an adder. We thought it was a bee sting due to the swelling on her face. The vet is the one who found the puncture marks. She survived.
MentalPlectrum@reddit
If it's a snake in and around water in this country it's probably a grass snake.
Future_Direction5174@reddit
I agree that that species is the most likely, but it was around 55 years ago, and I would have been less than 10 years old. It looked big to me, it was plain and dark coloured (grey? Olive green?) but it was definitely swimming in the small brook.
The large one we saw last year was a lot lighter in colour - more tan, and darker than the sandy path. There are quite a few ponds at the reserve which goes down to sea.
All the native reptile species can be found on them - if you know where to look.
CharieRarie@reddit
Me and my brother found a “python” in my grandmas garden. We ran back to the house screaming our little heads off. Grandma came out armed with a broom, only to discover the tiniest cutest little slow worm 😂
elhazelenby@reddit
I saw a few when I was living in a council estate with some plants similar to a commenters picture. (Kent).
Steenies@reddit
Once in Scotland
WoodenEggplant4624@reddit
I saw an adder in Dorset.
Maleficent-Win-6520@reddit
Yes. I was in a cable chamber at abberton in Essex. An adder swam between my legs. Result two electricians having an aliens moment.
after-my-blanket@reddit
A grand total of 3 in my life
Solid_Contact6529@reddit
Only once - saw 2 grass snakes either fucking or fighting in the Scottish Borders. I don’t know enough about snakes to know which they were up to!
Rude-Possibility4682@reddit
I saw my first grass snake when I was 55, while walking for a train. It was crossing a pavement. I used to look for them when I was around 12 years old, in the wastelands near me… years of searching never saw one.
JeffSergeant@reddit
In 40ish years I've seen 4 live grass snakes and 2 dead ones on the road. All in Northamptonshire.
Martipar@reddit
The closest was the time i saw a very dead slowworm in Dorset as a small child. I did get to see it's insides in addition to it's outside which most people don't get to see though.
Alexa302@reddit
Nope, never and I live in the countryside.
GodsBicep@reddit
Yes regularly. I live in Cambridge, but one the outskirts. Get grass snakes in my garden a lot, they also sunbathe on the walking paths by the fields early hours
GodsBicep@reddit
TheLocalEcho@reddit
Very nice! I’ve had two sightings of grass snakes swimming in the river Cam near Newnham woods.
I’ve seen adders on walking paths in Cornwall and the Peak District.
Clean-Noise8197@reddit
I accidentally did a wee on an Adder once
castielsbitch@reddit
There once was an adder chilling out in the top of the waterfall to the pond. Really surprised to have one in the garden. This was in South Wales.
Missdebj@reddit
I saw a snakeskin which had been shed in South Wales 50+ years ago. My brother used it as a bookmark.
When I lived in Norfolk my cat was bitten by a snake and the venom ate through the flesh in his leg so fast you could see it dissolving. By the time I got him to the vet 10 minutes later, you could see right through. Fortunately he lived. Vet said that was probably an adder.
blueyonderbear@reddit
Yep saw an adder on a path at Loch Trool, it was early morning so it wasn’t very active as the sun was still behind the trees. I was glad as my fox terrier Fergus was very interested in it, but i had time to catch him and drag him away
piskyfi@reddit
I’ve only ever seen an adder once, in Cornwall. It was a bit squashed in the road, my brother thought it was dead and picked it up. It wasn’t quite dead 😂 He was lucky not to be bitten. Seen plenty of grass snakes, on a couple of occasions swimming in the river.
Captainsandvirgins@reddit
Seen adders fairly regularly as I live in the countryside. I think I’ve only ever seen one grass snake which was eating a toad at the time. It took me ages to parse what I was looking at and what bit was snake and what bit was toad.
bahumat42@reddit
I have seen 2 in my life.
Neither particularly near where I live though.
Realistic_Let3239@reddit
Adders and grass snakes are semi common where I grew up, saw a few a year without going looking for them.
Hertstom@reddit
Awesome subject for me as a guy who was reptile boy when young as I spent so much time looking for snakes and lizards. Yes Ive seen all our reptiles bar the smooth snake.
I like visiting Dunwich to find adders, are they awesome!
I have caught and held grass snakes where I live in Hertfordshire, and yes I know how to handle them with great care. They usually pee the most smelly liquid defence onto me that smells for days
Frogbitch45776@reddit
Yes, I live in West Midlands and my sister’s cat caught grass snake (it lived!!)
Adam-West@reddit
I saw a dead slow worm once. Although I think that’s technically a legless lizard
Wonder_Shrimp@reddit
I'm in my late 30's now and I've never seen so much as a Grass Snake or Slow Worm
Makes me very sad as I love Reptiles
Sad_Cardiologist5388@reddit
I saw a dead snake grass snake at Brimham rocks in a patch of grass once. North Yorkshire.
Xenozip3371Alpha@reddit
Nope, never, and I used to go to country side quite a lot when I was younger.
tadpole-bear@reddit
An adder once in Cornwall. Nearly stepped on it, shortly after my dad heartily reassured me “there aren’t any adders here, don’t worry”. Also found a slow worm in the compost bin once. Took it to Brownies for show and tell.
Expert-Connection120@reddit
Many years ago in Scotland. Quite proud of the photo.
Pukit@reddit
I’ve seen two adders when walking in the New Forrest and one in the Surrey Hills, all basking in sunny sandy spots in the last forty years.
blow_on_my_trombone@reddit
I saw an adder on the isle of wight, and then on new lands corner a few years later
best-friends-arm@reddit
I’m from the North East of Scotland and adders are not a common sighting there exactly but it’s not too rare either, my Dad hikes a lot and sees at least a couple a year. I nearly ran over one on my bike once when I was little and he threw a stick at it to scare it away. They’re very beautiful once you can get past the HOLY SHIT IT’S A SNAKE of it all! I’ve seen a bunch of slow worms too and they’re very chill :)
81optimus@reddit
An adder by the reservoir in Llandegla
Outrageous-Arm1945@reddit
Yeah, seen a few grass snakes over the years, spent a lot of time near rivers and stuff kayaking. Tried to spot Adders on the South Downs very early when my eldest had a Reptile fixation but no joy!
SPACE--COWGIRL@reddit
My brother in law's mom has. Up close and personal - she got bit by an adder
Motor-Platform295@reddit
Ove seen one in Sussex and one in Dorset, both times on cliffs
Psycho_Splodge@reddit
Both an adder and grass snake. Not seen the other two. Or a slow worm.
SirMcFish@reddit
Yes, I saw a grass snake happily swimming in a lake at Drayton Manor Park.
ClevelandWomble@reddit
70, live near the north youk moors and never seen one in the wild.
Beginning_Ad_1723@reddit
You dudes got fucking snakes?!?
herefortheworst@reddit
Black adder in Cairngorms sunning itself outside a bothy. I shat me britches
Ulfgeirr88@reddit
Yes, grass snakes and adders, and I've found the Aesclupian snakes in Wales, I would have taken one of those home if I had a spare vivarium at the time
SaabAero93Ttid@reddit
Never, as a child I spent far too much time looking for them too..
ProfessorYaffle1@reddit
Yes , but not recently . I saw an adder on a disused railway embankment, near our old house in Somerset, years ago.
And grass snakes once or twice
Slow worms (which of course aren't snakes) quite regularly, there seems to be one that lives in my mum's garden, a couple of years ago we saw several babies.
Dependent_One6034@reddit
I've seen an adder thrice in my life, and I actively look for them.
Reesy@reddit
Never ever once have I ever seen a snake here. I would jump out of my skin if I did though
Lessarocks@reddit
Yes. When I was a child growing up in SW Scotland, I saw a few adders. We were all forbidden from going up to the loch where they were known to be near .but we did it anyway. We kept our distance from them though.
signol_@reddit
I'm in my late 40s and I've seen 2. One in some woodland near us, a grass snake which slithered into undergrowth very quickly. Another grass snake swimming along a river near the bank, that I was sailing a boat along and it kept up for a bit. Plus one dead one in the middle of a country lane.
FondantCrazy8307@reddit
Grass snake when I worked on a farm
Anxious_Baker_92@reddit
I wouldn’t say semi-regularly as I don’t really frequent the hot spots. But in Norfolk I’ve seen about 2/3 adders and a couple of grass snakes so far in my life. I know of places they are known to frequent, but I just don’t happen to go to them much (especially at the time of year they sun bathe).
Ok_Address5844@reddit
Ive seen two adders on the Ashdown forest in the last 10 years, another adder in Tonbridge and another in Dover.
Never seen a grass snake.
kg_27@reddit
Never seen, been bitten twice though
fringe_123@reddit
Yeah and she's sat behind me in the office!!!
ralkuzu@reddit
Seen 1 adder my entire life, I'll be 40 soon
It was in kent, fielded area under some corrugated sheets, I was on a job and the gardener of the property showed us!
Thick_Suggestion_@reddit
No. My mums mate, did see an Adder. The pos killed it
Bleubird2222@reddit
Yes - we had an adder in our pond
MentalPlectrum@reddit
Yes, a grass snake slid off the canal path (between Avoncliff and Dundas aqueducts, Kennet and Avon Canal) into the canal to get away from me and my other half when were were walking along. I'd never seen a live snake outside of a zoo in this country before.
purrcthrowa@reddit
I've seen a couple of grass snakes over the years (in our garden). That's it though. I've never seen an adder.
Conscious-Ball8373@reddit
We built a pond last year and put a couple of frogs we rescued in it. They seemed to be happy together and pretty quickly we had frogspawn.
A few weeks later, we had tadpoles.
And a couple of weeks after that, we had two snakes.
FeistyUnicorn1@reddit
Just once, an adder last year in Aberdeenshire
Quiet_surprise79@reddit
Grass snakes were not uncommon where I grew up. I think I've caught the sound of adders as they slither away but have never seen one. I've never seen a smooth snake, either. I have seen a couple of slow worms - not a snake. A legless lizard, but often mistaken for snakes.
Moto-Ent@reddit
I’ve only seen dead slow worms, saw a grass snake one and have almost stepped on at least 10 adders so far. In Scotland and Cornwall adders, grass snake in Berkshire and lots of slow worms in wales.
Legitimate-Soil7109@reddit
Grass snakes - yes, Adders - never.
Technically not snakes but ive seen plenty of Slow worms in Devon too.
They're pretty shy creatures; I spent 4 days in the jungle in Thailand and saw a grand total of 1.
charlytune@reddit
The only snakes I saw in Vietnam, even when I stayed in a village in the jungle, were pickled in 'wine' in jars.
Legitimate-Soil7109@reddit
Yeah, I "went to the loo" every time I was offered that
mackerel_slapper@reddit
Grass snake in a country park (Upton, near Poole). Straight after the snake place in the New Forest, so clearly got my eye in. Found half a slow worm last year - hedgehogs eat them.
charlytune@reddit
Never a snake. My mum's garden was neglected for a few years and built up a lot of leaves, and when I was clearing that I saw a couple of slow worms slithering away, that was exciting enough! I filmed them on my phone and sent them to loads of people.
Top-Cat-a@reddit
Yes seen several grass snakes
FloofyRaptor@reddit
Seen an Adder once or twice as they are common not far from where I live now. Back where I grew up in Cornwall I've had to evict a few grass snakes and slow worms (yeah I know they aren't really snakes) from my parents garden into the neighbouring field as Mum is terrified of snakes and anything snake-adjacent.
jaBroniest@reddit
I see adders all the time when mountain biking around gisburn forrest
Ok_Leadership_2967@reddit
No, never. I keep snakes and love them but I swear I'd shit a brick if I saw one in the wild
Ancient-Awareness115@reddit
I saw one as a kid, it was crossing the road we were walking down, close to Dunwich I think. But this would have been 35 years ago
puzzlecrossing@reddit
I’m in my 40s and I’ve seen one adder (nearly sat on it) and two grass snakes
The adder was on the North York Moors, the grass snakes were both on walking paths in Lincolnshire
Stevebwrw@reddit
Yes. I have seen grass snakes at home. I have also seen a slow work. A legless lizard people mistake for a snake. I live in rural Wales.
EugeneHartke@reddit
Yup. Adders, grass snakes, and slow worms. But I like to go walking alone.
Yes I know slow worns are not snakes.
Pyschospherex@reddit
I spent my summer holidays with relatives in Plymouth as a kid.
Used to walk the dogs (my aunt showed rough collies) with my uncle and we would look for them under rocks n things.
Saw plenty of slow worms, sometimes grass snakes but only saw an adder twice.
Eyup_Amigo@reddit
Not a snake but I came across a lizard half way up Kinder Scout in the Peak District. That took me by surprise.
Alert-Schedule-1298@reddit
Nearly stood on an adder hiking in Scotland before it slithered away quickly, first and last time I’ve seen one in the UK.
buddha-bing@reddit
Saw an adder when I was a kid, like 1990 maybe, never seen a snake since.
Spike_Milligoon@reddit
I used to see them loads when we holidayed in angelsey as a kid
Familiar-Woodpecker5@reddit
I’ve seen a few and lizards too.
nrsys@reddit
Twice in my life.
Both times seem out iwalking in the Highlands, basking in the middle of a path in the sun.
The thing with snakes I have found is that they are very good at pretending to be sticks - long and thin, mottled natural colours, and great at hiding in plain sight. Of the snakes I have seen, I have come very close to stepping on more than one of them...
Not ideal in Scotland with grass snakes and adders, definitely not a good thing in tropical places with rather more dangerous varieties...
Bukr123@reddit
Saw a grass snake years ago on some heathland near me (south east). Not a lizard but I’ve also seen a few slow worms.
Dutch_Slim@reddit
Yes, in Kent and in Essex. Grass snake swimming across a stream in Kent, and an adder crossing my (very long, rural) driveway.
da-happy-cyclops@reddit
Ive seen multiple posts and pics from UK snakes in the last few weeks / months.
What gives? Population boom? Habitat changes? Being forced into more urban areas? Some weird synchronised long term mating season thing?
Any snakesmen about?
AdministrativeShip2@reddit
Its warming up, so they're out more.
EqualPie515@reddit
Sending a snake pic your way, since you don't see them often!
Sea-Ganache-4330@reddit
Yes an adder too, in a big field last year (I live in the countryside)
Sea-Ganache-4330@reddit
Yes an adder too, in a big field last year (I live in the countryside)
ouch-n3wsho3s@reddit
Saw a Smooth Snake at Studland Bay and we've seen Grass Snakes swimming in the canal between Banbury and Fenny Compton
terryjuicelawson@reddit
Only a couple, both times near the coast. They are not snakes but every year in my garden we get slow worms now, never seen one before moving here.
Sage-Freke-@reddit
It depends where you are, but I have surveyed for reptiles as part of my job. I would say adders are usually hardest to find, theb grass snakes, then slow worms and then common lizards. We also have sand lizards and smooth snakes that are very rare and only found in tiny areas of the UK.
BlackJackKetchum@reddit
An adder, while on holiday in Wales. I was all for touching it (I was about 7). My parents were all for stopping me and succeeded.
My only other sighting was a grass snake (Lincs) a year or so back.
gaqo777@reddit
My sister had a river at the back of her garden which I was standing by when her neighbour started their lawnmower. I saw numerous snakes (10+) probably adders swim across the river from their garden.
So I'm guessing like most animals they learn how to hide from humans.
Longjumping_Bat_5178@reddit
Every time I go to the toilet 😀
Intrepid_Bearz@reddit
Regularly got grass snakes when I lived in Devon and saw a couple of Smooth snakes too.
Supposedly there were adders too, my parents saw those but I didn’t see them.
Adorable_Week7181@reddit
All the time; grass snakes, adders and slow worms in semi rural Norfolk. Always careful when walking the dog as she loses her ball in the verges all the time!
RegularHovercraft@reddit
Yes. Yorkshire.
ElGatoPicaro@reddit
Grass snakes, mainly in or arround bodies of water, never seen an adder.
AntiqueClick9229@reddit
Saw a fairly large adder sunning itself on the road in late September about 25 years ago in Aberdeen. I thought it was a bicycle tyre on the road until it reared up as I drove past. Turned back as quickly as I could but it was gone by the time I got back.
Killahills@reddit
Only once, it was an adder curled up in the middle of a grass path on the southwest coast. Thought it was a massive dog turd initially and was about to get annoyed, then it slithered into the long grass
Daveger4@reddit
I love on the south coast and there are meant to be adders around but I’ve never seen one. Down by the water there are lots of lizards in the cracks of walls though
MattOG81@reddit
Came face to face with an adder while walking (I think) on the Isle of Arran. It was part of that holiday so if we weren't there it was somewhere else up there.
I was climbing up a grassy/muddy bank and as I pulled myself up it slithered away from about 3 inches in front of my face. Luckily I missed it with my hand, and luckily it decided to run instead of fight, that could have been a real bad place to get bitten.
MattOG81@reddit
Came face to face with an adder while walking (I think) on the Isle of Arran. It was part of that holiday so if we weren't there it was somewhere else up there.
I was climbing up a grassy/muddy bank and as I pulled myself up it slithered away from about 3 inches in front of my face. Luckily I missed it with my hand, and luckily it decided to run instead of fight, that could have been a real bad place to get bitten.
MattOG81@reddit
Came face to face with an adder while walking (I think) on the Isle of Arran. It was part of that holiday so if we weren't there it was somewhere else up there.
I was climbing up a grassy/muddy bank and as I pulled myself up it slithered away from about 3 inches in front of my face. Luckily I missed it with my hand, and luckily it decided to run instead of fight, that could have been a real shit place to get bitten.
MattOG81@reddit
Came face to face with an adder while walking (I think) on the Isle of Arran. It was part of that holiday so if we weren't there it was somewhere else up there.
I was climbing up a grassy/muddy bank and as I pulled myself up it slithered away from about 3 inches in front of my face. Luckily I missed it with my hand, and luckily it decided to run instead of fight, that could have been a real shit place to get bitten.
MattOG81@reddit
Came face to face with an adder while walking (I think) on the Isle of Arran. It was part of that holiday so if we weren't there it was somewhere else up there.
I was climbing up a grassy/muddy bank and as I pulled myself up it slithered away from about 3 inches in front of my face. Luckily I missed it with my hand, and luckily it decided to run instead of fight, that could have been a real shit place to get bitten.
Redruby88@reddit
Saw a grass snake once near our uni student union. Was very surprised as it was pretty busy with nowhere to hide
Redruby88@reddit
Saw a grass snake once near our uni student union. Was very surprised as it was pretty busy with nowhere to hide
FailTuringTest@reddit
Saw a grass snake chase a frog across our garden once! Frog escaped into our 'wild area' (we keep a quarter of our garden untended as a wildlife-friendly space) and the snake lost the trail. We are In Worcestershire.
Riverview1957@reddit
Never seen an adder couple of grass snakes and that's it.
FrostyImplement9565@reddit
First time during Covid in a local forest area where I walk my dogs. Lived here all my life, and walked in those woods a lot.
FlatTyres@reddit
I keep wondering if I saw a grass snake a number of years ago or if I dreamt it. If I dreamt it then I've only seen them abroad. Despite my close proximity to Hounslow Heath where adders are known to live, I have never really visited there.
I find snakes interesting behind glass, in pictures and on a screen but I fear holding, touching or being touched by one so I'm not sure I'd have the best reaction if I got too close to one here - largely due to the surprise of seeing one for the first time since my last UK experience (or dream). I was pretty cautious abroad not get too close (Wagler's pit vipers).
Capta1n_Sully@reddit
Yes multiple on golf courses.
GordonW25@reddit
Seen an Adder in the West of Scotland. Was surprised at how big it was and its pattern was pretty cool.
CodeToManagement@reddit
Saw a slow worm once. Never a snake
PennyPitstop68@reddit
Saw an adder on a late spring hike, in SE Essex, with my Scout District.
Odd_Scar836@reddit
Yeah all the time. But I spend a lot of time hiking and running in rural Northumberland, Durham and Cumbria
PepsiMaxSumo@reddit
Yep, had one in my tent when I was in scouts and practically shit my pants
Jigglypuffs_quiff@reddit
Yes I saw an adder in Scotland
BeanOnAJourney@reddit
Yeah, every now and then. I see Grass Snakes far more regularly than Adders. I've never seen a Smooth Snake.
Kj539@reddit
We found a grass snake in a paddling pool we were raising tadpoles in, swimming about whilst snacking on them😂 then years later another warming up in our greenhouse :)
SignalTransition5@reddit
Grass snakes and Adders regularly. Never seen a Smooth snake, not the right habitat for them near me. Saw a Grass snake when I was a kid that was at least 6 ft long, very rare length in the UK.
Neither_Set_3048@reddit
Yes loads. But all in the same hour. Used to work with a guy who had this sort of thing as his main interest and hobby. He would take people out on a lunch break and show people. I saw about 10 in that lunch hour.
The difference was he knew exactly where to look and what they looked like. I could have gone out on my own in the same hour and never seen one.
I probably couldn’t find another one in my own again either. This was North Yorkshire. I genuinely didn’t even know we had snakes like that in this part of the country u til that day.
seven-cents@reddit
You're incredibly lucky!
I met the people who originally owned my house before I bought it from the people they sold it to, and they said that adders were common to find in the garden 40 years ago.
badger906@reddit
Yeah, I get attached by them fairly frequently near water on one of my local cycle rides. Adders jump out at me lol
Moppo_@reddit
Seen a couple of lizards, but no snakes.
SdanoG@reddit
In the 1970’s in wales it was about a foot long as I recall
qbnaith@reddit
I grew up in the countryside and I’ve seen exactly two - both grass snakes
h00dman@reddit
I certainly thought I did a few weeks ago!
Hunter037@reddit
Strange you should ask as I saw one (an adder) in the forest yesterday. A few weeks ago we saw a slow worm - not technically a snake but maybe close enough! We also had a slow worm in the garden last summer.
I vaguely remember seeing adders and grass snakes as a kid playing in the woods.
Traditional-Man77691@reddit
Yes, Seen grass snakes on rivers swimming, they love to swim up along waterways, rivers etc, they should be called a water snake.
I was looking for Grass snakes at Minsmere RSPB reserve, as I was a volunteer their and knew they put tin boards done to attract them as the love the heat tin generates, I lifted one board and an adder was curled up and slowly slinked away.
PARFT@reddit
I have never seen an adder despite looking out for them. Bit of a bucket list thing for me .
IndividualCurious322@reddit
Yes. Grass snakes usually.
NextTrouble505@reddit
Test Valley in the summertime once, and once in the New Forest.
There's a few about but they are small and avoid busy areas.
Electronic-Fennel828@reddit
Only ever a dead one. Went camping a few years back, saw a dead adder in the grass on a hike. Gave us a scare!
BiscuitCrumbsInBed@reddit
No, nor a slow worm.
Mrslinkydragon@reddit
Yes plenty
Minimum_Airline3657@reddit
Iv had slow worms in my garden, shit myself
WildHorses36@reddit
I’ve seen a grass snake and a slow worm (I know it’s technically a legless lizard but…..).
diamondthedegu1@reddit
I saw what I believe to have been a grass snake once. It was on a school trip to some woodland place basically in the middle of nowhere (it's been so long that I no longer remember which part of the country it was specifically, likely Shropshire though). It was definitely a snake as it was far too large to be a worm or any type of bug and it moved exactly like a snake does. I looked at it only briefly before freaking out a bit, shouting to my friend that there's a snake and us both running away from it's vicinity haha.
AddSomeSpice@reddit
Grass snake whilst out walking during lockdown!
thatguysaidearlier@reddit
Grass snake scared the crap out of me, in the rough at a golf club in West Sussex once.
Boudicat@reddit
Watched a huge grass snake eat a baby bunny in Warnham church yard. Had to check online to make sure of what I’d seen because I didn’t know they got that big. Thought it might be something exotic that have escaped.
FMDollx@reddit
That’s mad, I’ve lived in West Sussex all my life and never seen any!
charlottedoo@reddit
Ive seen quite a few, especially last year. Its mainly by bodies of water though.
No_Promotion_65@reddit
Once in the new forest
Peanut0151@reddit
I saw a dead grass snake in Devon about 20 years ago
Rude_Rhubarb1880@reddit
Walked extensively across the UK for 40+ years and never seen one
REDEYEJ3D1@reddit
Iv seen 1 wild adder in my life and it was in Wales, it was sunbathing on some sheet metal at a national park.
i was in awe it was a fully grown adult, but as soon as it noticed me it shot off in the bushes.
AttorneyOk4808@reddit
I've only ever seen one once and it was swimming across a lake.
Ashamed_Housing7489@reddit
An adder about 55 years ago
OkConsideration5272@reddit
Never. I've always lived in cities, but I've also been going hiking for a long time.
Grand-Impact-4069@reddit
I’ve seen about 5-6 throughout my life. Most have been grass snakes but seen an adder just once.
In other news, last year I caught a glimpse of a common lizard running into a Wimberry bush. Last week I seen one out in the open basking
CaptMelonfish@reddit
Yes, I used to volunteer on a SSSI wetland, there were loads of the buggers. We put mats out in the spring to catch the sun, they'd hide under them to warm up.
BraveLordWilloughby@reddit
Yes. A few adders, as well as something else nesting in my chicken coop
L-0-T-H-0-S@reddit
Yes. My neighbour owns a small field next door and only cuts the grass once a year, so throughout the mating months you get the occasional male adder - they're bigger, longer and grey - scooting across our lawn in pursuit of a female.
It's weird the speed they actually can travel. I tell him (my neighbour) there's at least one female adder when I see a male, he's lived here all his life so oresumes himself immune.
Throughout summer I always check nothings hiding under things and keep the grass good and mowed, it's really the only way not to attract them. They're generally pretty shy, but if you corner a female it will strike at you.
VolcanicBear@reddit
Yeah. A few times in the Peak district and once in a nature reserve near Maldon.
beeurd@reddit
Yes, but probably only 3 times in my life (I'm 42).
DoftheD@reddit
Yes, seen grass snakes a handful of times in the garden in the south of England, usually nestling in some wood or beds.
Euphoric-Pearl@reddit
Been in the countryside a fair few times. Never seen one before
PerLin107@reddit
Nope not at all
RepublicWarm2383@reddit
Occasionally see grass snakes swimming across the river. Only seen one adder and that was on the golf course at centre parcs in elveden
Nimble_Natu177@reddit
I've seen exactly one grass snake before, might have been an adder though, totally caught me off guard since I thought it was some rope, as it was near some road works.
Linkyjinx@reddit
They have them in the Quantocks, also deer and ticks.
ThickTadpole3742@reddit
My husband saw a black adder when out running a few weeks ago!!!
AF_II@reddit
Used to see grass snakes quite regularly in the garden/farmland where I grew up for most of my childhood.
Hadn't seen one this century until last week when I caught a beautiful HUGE grasssnake napping in the sun in a bluebell wood. Hoped it was an adder given the location, but no, still haven't seen one of those (just the shed skin).
ClericalRogue@reddit
Yeah, my friends and I used to find grass snakes occasionally as kids playing around my gran's house. I brought one home once and she went nuts, thinking it might have been an adder. 😅
zero_sevenn@reddit
I’ve seen a tiny grass snake at the park next to my house. It was about the size of my palm. This was in Kent
FornyHucker22@reddit
No 🙁
used to have a garter snake tho 🥰
onionsareawful@reddit
I've seen a grass snake once or twice. But they're pretty rare.
insertitherenow@reddit
Grass snake once. It was cool to see.
doggypeen@reddit
Ive seen two small grass snakes swimming away from me
spoo4brains@reddit
Have seen grass snakes, never an adder.
Drwynyllo@reddit
I've seen quite a lot of grass snakes.
But I haven't been lucky enough to see an adder yet.
quarky_uk@reddit
Yep, I have seen a grass snake swimming in some water. I see them much more often overseas.
Icy_Mixture1482@reddit
I’ve lived in Taiwan and Hong Kong for 11 years and only seen a snake once.
BroodingSonata@reddit
Nope, never, and I have at various times thought about the fact that I haven't.
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