# Adder (*Vipera berus*) The Adder is a small snake with a zigzag pattern on its back! They are usually shy and prefer to hide. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 5/5 · Extreme - **Snaps:** 4 - **Habitat:** Forests and heathland - **Also known as:** Common Adder, European Adder, Northern Viper ![Adder](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426355/objects/5603.jpg) ## Appearance The Adder has a distinctive dark zigzag pattern running along its grey, brown, or sometimes reddish-brown body. Males are typically grey with black markings, while females are browner with darker brown marks. Its slender body and flattened head distinguish it from non-venomous snakes. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Squamata - **Order:** Serpentes - **Family:** Viperidae - **Genus:** Vipera ## Interesting facts - Adder babies are born live, not from eggs, making them unique among many snakes! - Adders bask in the sun to warm up, helping their cold-blooded bodies stay active. - An Adder can 'smell' using its tongue, flicking it to pick up scents from the air. - They are the only venomous snake species found in the Arctic Circle! ## Special abilities - **Venomous Bite:** Adder can inject venom using two hollow fangs, which helps them quickly overpower and immobilize their prey. - **Camouflage Master:** Adder has a patterned skin that provides excellent camouflage, helping them blend into their surroundings to ambush prey. - **Live Birth:** Adder gives birth to live young, not eggs, which helps protect the developing babies inside the mother's body. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 60-90 cm - **Weight:** 0.05-0.18 kg - **Lifespan:** 10-20 years - **Speed:** 6 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 3-20 ## Diet & Feeding The Adder is a carnivore, primarily eating small mammals and sometimes birds or lizards. - **Age differences:** Juveniles primarily eat lizards and amphibians, while adults consume larger prey. - **Primary Foods:** Field voles, Shrews, Mice, Small birds, Lizards - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [Field Vole](https://www.snappit.app/explore/field-vole) (*Microtus agrestis*) — A primary prey item for adult Adders. - **Hunts:** [Common Shrew](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-shrew) (*Sorex araneus*) — Frequently hunted by Adders, especially smaller individuals. - **Hunts:** Common Lizard (*Zootoca vivipara*) — An important food source, particularly for juvenile Adders. - **Eaten by:** [Common Buzzard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-buzzard) (*Buteo buteo*) — Buzzards are known predators of Adders, especially young snakes. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. - [Venomous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/venomous): Venomous organisms produce toxins that are injected into another animal, typically through a bite or sting. ## Collections - [Reptiles & Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles-and-amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 5/5 · Extreme Look but don’t touch. Keep a safe distance and wash hands after exploring. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Adder? Compare the full body pattern, build, head markings and tail. Color can shift with age and lighting. Rules of thumb about triangular heads or round pupils aren't a reliable way to tell whether a snake is venomous. Snake Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Adder? 60-90 cm ### How much does Adder weigh? 0.05-0.18 kg ### How long does Adder live? 10-20 years ### How fast can Adder move? 6 km/h ### What does Adder eat? The Adder is a carnivore, primarily eating small mammals and sometimes birds or lizards. ### Where is Adder usually found? Forests and heathland ### How does Adder hunt? Ambush ## Where to spot - [Ranuan Eläinpuisto](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ranuan-el-inpuisto) — Lapland, FI · Zoo - [Zoologická zahrada Děčín - Pastýřská stěna](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/zoologick-zahrada-d-n-past-sk-st-na) — Ústí nad Labem Region, CZ · Zoo - [Monkey World](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/monkey-world) — England, GB · Zoo - [Naturpark Fichtelgebirge](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fichtelgebirge-nature-park) — Bayern, DE · Park - [Ammergau Alps Nature Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ammergau-alps-nature-park) — Bayern, DE · Park - [Biosphärenreservat Rhön](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/rhon-biosphere-reserve) — Bayern; Hessen; Thüringen, DE · Park [View all places to see Adder](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/adder) ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Adder: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/adder)