Print Page | Close Window

Viper pits

Printed From: Reptiles and Amphibians of the UK
Category: General
Forum Name: Off-Topic Forum
Forum Description: A Forum for off-topic discussions
URL: http://www.herpetofauna.co.uk/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5137
Printed Date: 28 Mar 2024 at 9:59pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.06 - http://www.webwizforums.com


Topic: Viper pits
Posted By: AGILIS
Subject: Viper pits
Date Posted: 18 Apr 2017 at 7:08am
Ever thought Where did these ruling people in early medieval times get all these adders from so they could have pits of adders to chuck their enemies down as they always seems to have one in their castles not counting the odd wolf pit?

-------------
   LOCAL ICYNICAL CELTIC ECO WARRIOR AND FAILED DRUID



Replies:
Posted By: Tom Omlette
Date Posted: 18 Apr 2017 at 8:17am
I've sometimes wondered the same thing Keith. In Bernard Cornwell's Arthur trilogy (well worth a read by the way), whenever one of the druids needs a viper they've been out and caught a handful within minutes. Apart from the fact that those are fantasy stories lol, I suspect adders were more widespread and abundant before all their habitat was turned into pastureland, agricultural land or urbanised. 


Posted By: GemmaJF
Date Posted: 18 Apr 2017 at 12:30pm
I think they definitely had a heyday, perhaps at the start of woodland clearance in the UK. New habitat would have been created constantly, so I suspect their numbers soared for a while in the UK.



Print Page | Close Window

Forum Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 11.06 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Copyright ©2001-2016 Web Wiz Ltd. - https://www.webwiz.co.uk