What is it? - Martin Down (Hampshire)

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Martin Down (Hampshire)

Printed From: Reptiles and Amphibians of the UK
Category: General
Forum Name: What is it?
Forum Description: Seen something in the wild and wondering what it is? This is the place to ask
URL: http://www.herpetofauna.co.uk/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=731
Printed Date: 24 Apr 2024 at 7:10am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.06 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Martin Down (Hampshire)

Posted By: Motty
Subject: Martin Down (Hampshire)
Date Posted: 18 Sep 2004 at 6:27pm

I was with my son looking for Butterflies at Martin Down (hampshire) when he pointed out to me what I thought was a snake sun bathing on the path. It was about 12" long, 3/4" wide and plain bronze/brown but Iam sure as seeing many sloworms when growing up it was not that, what could it have been ?

Replies:

Posted By: -LAF
Date Posted: 18 Sep 2004 at 10:54pm

Sounds like an adder to me. A site I know well in central Lincs has a good population of adders and these are frequently bronze or even copper in colour, although on closer examination their markings are clearly visible.

Lee.

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Lee Fairclough

Posted By: djp_phillips
Date Posted: 28 Jan 2006 at 3:22pm

sound like adder, slow worms are more discreet then that

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Posted By: Dan Kane
Date Posted: 29 Jan 2006 at 7:47am

Could have been either; an Adder, or a Smooth Snake.

The Adder is the most likely of the two to be seen in that area.

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Dan

www.randacumbria.moonfruit.com

Posted By: djp_phillips
Date Posted: 29 Jan 2006 at 10:30am

smooth snakes are very very very rare in England... I think Adder

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Posted By: Dan Kane
Date Posted: 31 Jan 2006 at 3:33pm

Yes, me too, but it's a possibility of it being a Coronella austriaca...

Most probably a Vipera berus

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Dan

www.randacumbria.moonfruit.com

Posted By: djp_phillips
Date Posted: 31 Jan 2006 at 4:44pm

how rare are coronella really, I know that they are, but how many
sightings per month can be expected compared with the Adder of the
Grass snake?

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Reptiles & Amphibians of France:
http://www.herpfrance.com - www.herpfrance.com

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