Adder

Britain's only venomous snake, adders are usually very shy - they rarely attack, and spend the winter in hibernation.

Habitat – Found throughout Wales, adders are more common on the coast, inland heath and commons. They’re very shy, but are most easily seen in early spring after hibernation.

Appearance – A dark zigzag along its back contrast nicely with the grey colouration of the male but less well with the browny-red of the female.

Young – Born during early summer, they have to quickly find enough food to keep them going through hibernation.

What about its bite? It’s very unusual for adders to bite people or pets – they only attack if they’re picked up or accidentally sat or trodden on. If an adder does bite you, stay calm and seek medical attention as soon as possible.