The Adder (Vipera berus berus) is a venomous snake. It is also known as the Common European Adder or the Common European Viper.
The Adder has a thick body with keeled (ridged or rough) scales and a large head. Its colour and pattern vary, but it is usually light-coloured with small crossbars or entirely brown with faint or clear dark-brown markings. It usually has a zig-zag pattern. Its eyes are quite large.
It grows to 60-90 centimetres (24-35 inches) in length.
It is widespread and common across most of western Europe to east Asia. It is found in varied terrains and habitats, from hillsides to moors, meadows, coastal dunes, and woodlands.
It is mainly diurnal, active during the day. It is terrestrial, living on the ground, and arboreal (living in trees).
It eats small mammals, birds, lizards, and amphibians.
The Adder is ovoviviparous. The eggs hatch inside the female’s body and they young are born live. The female has 3-20 young, called snakelets. The young stay with their mother for a few days before they become independent.
[Location of photographs:Parc Zoologique de Paris in Bois de Vincennes, France]
Photographer: Martina Nicolls
Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM