Adders on the North York Moors

Adders (Vipera berus) are shy and reclusive snakes which make a home for themsleves on the remoter parts of the high North York Moors.

If you're out walking on the Moors in spring or summer, you might be lucky and catch a glimse of an Adder sun-baking on warmer days.

Adders are Beautiful Snakes Found on the North York Moors.

But be careful; Adders are the UKs only venomous snake.

And remember, Adders are not generally aggressive and they'll prefer to sliver away at the approach of people.

So you don't need to worry too much about Adder bites; which thankfully occur very, very rarely; and are not often fatal.

In fact the last reported fatality in the UK happened in 1975 - over 40 years ago!

But to reduce the risk of being bitten when out walking on the Moors, make sure to wear covered footwear and long trousers.

And don’t poke around in holes in the ground with your hands!

Moreover, Adders are a protected species and you're not allowed to kill or harm them in any way.

Finding Adders on the Moors

Adders are a sizeable snake; reaching around a Yard in length; but commonly around two-feet as adults.

And they're beautifully coloured; typically with black and greenish-gray or brown scales arranged in a striking zig-zag pattern.

Although very rare, it is not unknown to find melanistic Adders which can be completly black at sites on the Moors.

There are quite a few Adders on the Moors between Rosedale, Westerdale, Castleton, Farndale and Danby.

Adders Favour Open Moorland, Woodland and Heathland.

For biologists, Adders are a sentinel species, meaning they're high up in the food chain. So, for the National Park Authority, a good healthy adder population is known to support all the species below them, giving a good, healthy ecosystem overall.

So do your bit, and don't harm our lovely Adders!

Adders like the open spaces provided by the Moors; but with the security of our moorland heather providing protection from preditory birds of prey.

Their own prey consists of mice, frogs, voles, lizards, and other smaller moorland creatures.

Because of our cool British winters, and the harsher cold of the high Moors, Adders hibernate each winter in a hibernation den - called a "hibernaculum" - which they'll use year-after-year; and there will typically be several Adders using the same den.

Adders are Well Adopted to Harsh Cold Winters on the Moors.