Nothing quite says it's April like stumbling across a huge adder on your leisurely morning walk.
Pennard local Alison Maddocks was out walking in Pwll Du, Gower, yesterday, when she spotted a large male adder slithering on the grass - an experience she described as "fantastic". The adder is Britain's only venomous snake and they are easily identified by the distinctive dark zig-zag marking on their back. While they can give a nasty bite when threatened, adders are shy snakes that only bite when trodden on or picked up.
Alison spotted the adder in the late morning on the footpath between Pwll Du Head and High Pennard. She said: "I saw it slithering away for safety as I approached - I presume that it had been basking peacefully on the path before being disturbed by the vibrations of my boots. There was nobody else around, and no dogs either. I immediately though 'wow, how fantastic, an adder. I thought I must get a picture to show my grandchildren. I'm glad I didn't step on it." You can get more Swansea news and other story updates by subscribing to our newsletters here.
Read more: Why we're seeing more snakes out and about at this time of year.
Growing up in Pennard, Alison said she was "well aware" of the snake population there and spotted them most years. Adder sightings tend to be the most common in April, which is when they come out of hibernation.
According to the Arc Trust (Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust), 70% of adder bites are minor and only give a "negligible" reaction or local effects. A small number of people, however, will suffer from a negative reaction that requires hospitalisation - as this one Welsh walker will know.
Adders are particularly dangerous to dogs. Just this week the RSPCA issued a warning to dog walkers and parents after a snake was spotted on a popular dog walking route. War Paws charity worker David Matthews spotted the long adder while walking his dog at Llantrisant Common, in Rhondda Cynon Taf, on Tuesday. You can read more about that here.
Angela Reynolds, from the Arc, said: "Adders emerge from hibernation in early spring, and people may spot them in March and April as they bask in the sun, often in small groups. Later in the year, adders are typically more difficult to spot, as their behaviour changes and they are often concealed by longer vegetation.
"The chance of being bitten by an adder is exceedingly low. Each year there are millions of visits to areas where adders occur, yet very few bites occur. Comprehensive figures are not documented, but research indicates that there are around 50-100 adder bites to people per year in Great Britain. There are around 100 reports per year of adder bites to dogs."
If you or a pet has been bitten by an adder the trust recommends that you seek immediate medical attention and Dial 999 straight after to ask for an ambulance, or go straight to your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department.
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