If you're scared of snakes, walking through the countryside can result in more than a little trepidation. Every movement looks like a slither to you, and if you are a dog walker you have the added fear of your inquisitive pet, who loves searching through the undergrowth and investigating everything it sees, being given a sharp bite on the nose.
Following the recent heatwave last month, there have been reports of an increase in snake sightings on some beaches in Wales. New research has also shown a record-breaking increase in reported snake bite-related injuries in the UK.
These reports may cause concern but most of the reported injuries in the report were actually caused by pet snakes, not ones ambushing wary walkers and curious canines. In fact, Dr Kevin Arbuckle, a herpetologist (snake expert) at Swansea University, said snake populations had actually "declined massively" over the past few decades. You can get more environment news and other story updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters here.
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There are only two snakes native to Wales: the adder and the grass snake. While grass snakes are large, harmless snakes which enjoy wetland habitats, venomous adders can be found basking in the summer heat along the coast. Dr Arbuckle said adders would avoid people as much as possible but got their energy from heat, so the hotter weather could cause more sightings.
Where are you most likely to find adders?
On where to find them (or places to avoid to many) Dr Arbuckle said to look for rocks, long grass and warm dunes along the coast, as these were the spots that adders enjoy the most.
Another snake expert, the appropriately named Geraint the Snakeman, from Llanelli, said: "Gower is the main hotspot for adders." Beaches in Gower with extensive sand dune areas include Oxwich, Port Eynon, Llangennith, and Whiteford Sands, so they are places where you might be more likely to see adders. One dog owner had to spend £3,500 to save her pet after he was bitten on the nose by an adder at Llangennith - you can read more about that here.
But they have been spotted at a number of Gower locations, including at Pwll Ddu earlier this year. And bites have also been reported away from the coast, including one dog bitten on the face by an adder in woods at Penllergaer, costing its owner £1,700 in vet bills. Another adder was photographed on a popular walking route at Llantrisant Common, Rhondda Cynon Taf.
In Anglesey, adders can be found in locations such as South Stack, Holyhead mountain, and Newborough Warren.
However, adders are a protected, at-risk species and Bridgend Councillor John Spanswick has advised anyone who encounters these snakes to leave them well alone.
But what should you do if you get bitten by an adder?
Dr Arbuckle said that "Across the whole UK you will end up with approximately an average of 100 bites a year and most of those are not dangerous in the slightest".
However, adder bites can be serious, so he advises that if you are bitten you should visit hospital as soon as possible.
Geraint the Snakeman said: "It is a medical emergency if you do get bitten but do not panic". While a council spokesperson for Bridgend has advised people to 'do as little walking as possible' if bitten by an adder, although this may be hard if you are bitten on a remote beach which is nowhere near a hospital.
Dr Arbuckle added: "The stiller you can be, the less quickly in the body that venom will move. In the UK, we are sometimes very, very far from any hospitals and generally speaking getting quickly to your car and the nearest hospital is better than sitting and waiting. Say the bite is in your hand, just try to keep your hand as still as possible." The NHS website also advises anyone who has been bitten by a snake to try and remember the colour and pattern of the snake so you can describe it to a doctor.
Should we be worried about snakes?
Dr Arbuckle said "[Snake] populations across the whole UK have been declining massively across the last few decades and there is certainly nothing, generally, for people to worry about. "
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