If there is one species of British wildlife that will strike fear into people it has to be the adder (Vipara berus). Not only is it a snake, and many people love to hate snakes, it is a poisonous snake and it uses its venom to kill its prey. I do not pretend the adder is a harmless creature and I treat them with respect, as anyone should, but adder bites are not common and whilst uncomfortable certainly not serious in most cases. It is uncontrolled dogs that are more likely to be the ‘innocent’ victims of the adder. The adder is a very shy creature. It can detect approaching people by vibrations in the ground and so they generally slide away into nearby cover at the first hint of danger approaching. Only if accidentally trodden on or foolishly provoked or handled are they likely to bite. The adder is as numerous here in Purbeck as it is anywhere in the UK but the truth is that the adder is far from common even here and seems to be in serious decline. Research shows that as the adder’s natural habitat becomes fragmented by roads and development so populations are forced to interbreed and the gene pool is becoming very weak and the species is dying out. Efforts are underway to try and correct this but it will take time before enough can be captured and relocated into other colonies before we know if the program is successful. Not only can they be found on the Purbeck heath you may also find them basking on sea cliffs, grass downland, south facing embankments and other wild places. To many the news of the decline of the adder will be welcome but is a truly beautiful creature with striking markings down its back and a dark V on the back of its head. To me the loss of the adder would be a tragedy. I really see one but when I do I never fail to be thrilled; they are just so special.
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