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RAUK - Archived Forum - Another adder bite...... and a question.

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Another adder bite...... and a question.:
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Boris the Berus
Senior Member
Joined: 15 Mar 2008
No. of posts: 67


View other posts by Boris the Berus 		Posted: 17 May 2010
About a year ago I was working away from home so my partner went to have a quick check on one of the dens I've been observing.  Whilst watching a female she failed to notice the male behind her coiled around a discarded piece of tennis ball.
My dog loves tennis balls and will do anything you ask if shown one.  Needless to say he spotted the ball and went to pick it up.  This resulted in a bite on the chin.  He suffered no ill effects and was given antivenom as a precaution.

Last week whilst minding his own business away from any known adder sightings he managed to step on a small male and was bitten again.  Once again, he suffered no ill effects other than a loss of appetite and he did not receive any treatment.  (I only had my mobile with me and just managed to get a blurred shot)

As a result of the second incident I've now located another den site and managed to photograph a lovely female there this morning.

Here's my question;

I've not seen and activity around one of my den sites and it's only 100 yards from the site my dog discovered this week.  Is it possible the entire group has moved to the new site?
There hasn't been any change in the enviroment and there is no more human activity there than has been going on for years.



 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/38923974@N07/sets/
Boris the Berus
Senior Member
Joined: 15 Mar 2008
No. of posts: 67


View other posts by Boris the Berus 		Posted: 17 May 2010
A poor quality shot taken on my mobile.  This is the male that bit my dog.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/38923974@N07/sets/
ben rigsby
Senior Member
Joined: 27 Apr 2010
No. of posts: 337


View other posts by ben rigsby 		Posted: 27 May 2010
ive no idea boris but i enjoyed your story and i hope the mutts ok. a mates terrier had to have his lip removed as a result of adder bite so yours got off lightly!
ben
Diversity.
ben rigsby
Senior Member
Joined: 27 Apr 2010
No. of posts: 337


View other posts by ben rigsby 		Posted: 27 May 2010
ive no idea boris but i enjoyed your story and i hope the mutts ok. a mates terrier had to have his lip removed as a result of adder bite so yours got off lightly!
ben
Diversity.
herpetologic2
Senior Member
Joined: 15 Jun 2004
No. of posts: 1369


View other posts by herpetologic2 		Posted: 23 Jun 2010
I suspect that adders do move around different
hibernation sites in areas that I survey

In one site the adder's disappear for a season or two and
then return later in the year or the next spring.

I suspect that the adders are moving away to foraging
areas beyond the site but they tend to stay in
hibernation sites located in between the two sites

I have not been able to prove this though

J
Vice Chair of ARG UK - self employed consultant -
visit ARG UK & Alresford Wildlife

- Another adder bite...... and a question.

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