Puppies and young dogs can be especially curious and can unintentionally provoke an adder into biting. The majority of bites in dogs seem to occur between April and July, most commonly in the afternoon when the adders are most active.
They also suggest walking before 9 am or after 7 pm, as these snakes are usually more active between those times. Walking after dark is another option to avoid adders.
The key to finding adders is to look on sunny and sheltered banks, often before midday.
Adders are generally more active in the spring and early summer; having just come out of hibernation, their venom is more potent. At this time, they are also hungrier and more likely to bite.
Adders can remain active through to late October or early November in southern parts of the UK, although the activity period is much shorter in the north of Scotland. Mainly a diurnal species, adders are most often active during the day, but may also be active at night during very warm weather.
Adders usually like to bask in the sun on rocks and will be more surprised to see you than you are of it. If you do see one, stay calm, keep your distance and let it move away in it's own time. They often sense you approaching and will move away before you even know they are there.
Adders like open habitats such as heathland, moorland, open woodland and sea cliffs, typically on free-draining soils such as chalk or sand.
Adders are secretive and non-aggressive. They never set out looking for humans to bite, so if you leave them alone, they will do the same for you. They have a highly developed venom injecting mechanism, but will only bite as a last resort.
The symptoms will often develop rapidly (within 1-2 hours), frequently starting with systemic effects such as dizziness, fainting and/or difficulty breathing. Gradually, you may see a severe local reaction develop, with swelling and discolouration of the skin around the bite.
Some believe that clipping bells to their dog's collar could warn the snake that a dog is close by. These loud bells are often termed Adder bells. With no external ears, and thought to have very poor hearing, this is still an anecdotal belief.
Hike during the cooler parts of the day. Snakes like to warm their bodies in the sunshine. Hiking in the evening or early in the morning helps you avoid their favorite part of the day.
Snakes are most active in the early mornings on spring and summer days when the sun is warming the earth. Snakes turn in for the evening, sleeping at night.
What months are snakes most active in Australia? Snakes are most active during snake season, which typically begins around September and runs until April.
DO keep the part of your body that's been bitten as still as possible to prevent the venom spreading around your body. DO remove jewellery and watches from the bitten limb as they could cut into your skin if the limb swells. DO seek immediate medical attention.
As such, there is no clear evidence base to recommend the use of antivenom in practice. However, this doesn't mean that antiserum should not be used to treat a dog likely to have been bitten by a European adder – also known as the common adder or European viper – particularly if clinical signs are severe.
Only when it's cornered will the night adder coil up, start to hiss, and puff up its body to appear more ferocious than it actually is. It also flattens its neck in imitation of a cobra.
Adder bites can result in swelling around the wound, usually within 2 hours, and this can be severe. You might be able to see the 2 puncture wounds in the centre of the swelling. Other than swelling your dog may show signs of pain, bleeding, bruising, lameness and may appear nervous.
If bitten, one should seek urgent medical attention. Do the same should your dog receive a bite and rush it to the vet. Dogs usually survive Night Adder bites. Anti-venom is not required or effective for this species.
Envenomation may cause severe hypotension/shock as well as hemolytic, coagulopathic, hemorrhagic, and local reactions. Death may ensue rapidly but more commonly occurs in 12-24 hours.
The best way to prevent adder bites on dogs is to be aware of adder hotspots in your area. Keep to paths when walking in these areas and consider keeping your dog on a leash so they don't disturb any snakes in the undergrowth. If you do come across an adder it's best to remain still and let it pass safely.
The Common death adder (Acanthophis antarcticus) is a highly venomous snake species with a 50–60% untreated mortality rate. It is also the fastest striking venomous snake in the world.
In Peru, a black stone is a small charred cow bone "applied to the site of a poisonous snakebite and tied firmly in place. It is left there for several days, during which time it supposedly draws the venom from the wound."
Adders are mostly predated on by birds including birds of prey and some members of the crow family. Other predators include Smooth Snakes, Badgers and Foxes. It has been shown that many would-be predators recognize the classic Adder zig-zag markings and avoid the snakes.
Adders are clearly distinguished by a dark zigzagging line down their back set against a grey (male) or light brown (female) body. They also have a 'V' or 'X' shaped marking on the head. Adders are venomous, but adder bites are rare and seldom fatal.
According to the charity, human deaths from adder bites are “exceptionally rare”, and there have been just 14 recorded incidents since 1876.