Adder - Overview

Order: Squamata

Family: Viperidae

Species: Vipera berus

IUCN Red List Status:  Least concern.

Distribution:  Found in woodland, heathland and moorland across UK, except Channel Islands, Scilly Islands, Northern Ireland, Scottish islands and Isle of Man.  Widespread across Europe from Scandinavia and the Baltic to UK and France, then eastwards to Russia, Mongolia, Democratic People's Republic of Korea and northwestern China.

Habitat:  Rough open countryside such as heathland and moorland and the edges of woodlands, where plenty of sunlight hits the ground.

Life-span:  15-20 years.

Size:  Males up to 60cm, females up to 80cm long.  Weight: 50-60g (males) and 80-100g (females).

 

Browse More Factsheets

We have a range of over 200 fact sheets on lots of species and environmental issues. Explore them all by clicking the button below.

Our Supporters

Green Sustainability Magazine
F & S Energy
Kidd3r
Frogbikes
Buster Books
Michael O'Mara Books
1% For The Planet
Eurostar
Canva
Garfield Weston Foundation
Surrey Environment Partnership
We have the POWER
Southend-on-Sea Borough Council
Essex County Council
Luminous Energy
Spots and Stripes
Postcode Local Trust
Sureserve Group plc
Somerset County Council
Google
R&Co4Generations