The adder is Britain’s only venomous snake. While the likelihood of being bitten by an adder is extremely small, some people and pets are bitten each year. An adder bite is very rare but when it does happen medical help should be sought immediately.
Are snake bites common in UK?
A rise in exotic pet ownership means snakebite injuries are becoming more common in the UK, doctors are warning. In the last 11 years medics have seen and treated 300 victims. Some 72 of the patients were teenagers or children – 13 were under the age of five.
What does a snake bite feel like UK?
Early symptoms can include pain, throbbing and swelling spreading from the bite, although some highly venomous snakes have a relatively painless bite. Later symptoms depend on snake species and can include: Non-specific: nausea, vomiting, faintness and/or dizziness, drowsiness, weakness.
How many people are bitten by snakes in the UK?
Of the 321 snake bite cases registered over the last decade or so, 13 of the victims were under five years of age and one person – a reptile conservationist bitten by a king cobra – actually died.
Does the UK have poisonous snakes?
Types of UK snake
The adder is the only venomous snake, but you should get all snake bites checked as soon as possible. Telling the doctors the colour and pattern of the snake that bit you could help them treat it. Adders are grey or reddish-brown, with a dark zig-zag shaped stripe down their back.
Are snakes a problem in England?
Snake bite injuries are becoming more common in the UK due to a rise in people keeping exotic species as pets, doctors have warned. Around one in 100 households in Britain now own a pet snake, according to estimates.
How do you know if a snake is going to bite you?
You can usually tell if the snake is about to strike by watching their tail. The positioning of the tail is what will eventually give them leverage and more lunging power. The snake will slowly move its tail into a tighter position and may even prop its tail up against something nearby to give it more leverage.
How common are snakes in the UK?
There are three native snake species in the UK including one one venomous snake. You’re most likely to see them in the wild, or sometimes in your garden, during the warm weather. The three species are: Adder (Vipera berus) – widespread but declining across the UK and the only venomous species.
Where do adders live in UK?
The adder is the most northerly member of the viper family and is found throughout Britain, from the south coast of England to the far north of Scotland. In Scandinavia its range even extends into the Arctic Circle. It is not found in Ireland.
Where do snakes bite the most?
The majority of snakebites occur on the hands, feet and ankles. Rattlesnakes usually avoid humans, but about 8,000 people are bitten by venomous snakes in the United States each year, with 10 to 15 deaths, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
How likely are you to get bit by a snake?
Even using the highest estimate from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of 8,000 annual snakebites per year, the odds of you being bitten are 40,965 to one. And let’s say you do get bitten. The odds of that bite being fatal are 1,400 to one.
Are there Cobras in UK?
One man was bitten by a king cobra and died from a cardiac arrest despite being administered 10 vials of antivenom.
Can grass snakes bite UK?
Predators include badgers, red foxes, domestic cats, hedgehogs and a number of birds; when caught, grass snakes hiss and release a foul-smelling substance from their anal gland. Although they may also strike with the head, they do not bite and are harmless to humans.
How poisonous is the adder in the UK?
The adder is the UK’s only venomous snake, but its poison is generally of little danger to humans: an adder bite can be painful and cause a inflammation, but is really only dangerous to the very young, ill or old. If bitten, medical attention should be sought immediately, however.
What happens if an adder bites you?
The symptoms will often develop rapidly (within 1-2 hours), frequently starting with systemic effects such as dizziness, fainting and/or difficulty breathing. Gradually, you may see a severe local reaction develop, with swelling and discolouration of the skin around the bite.
What is the biggest snake in the UK?
The biggest: Grass Snake
The Grass Snake is our longest snake, growing to well over a metre. They’re usually a grey-green colour and most easily recognised by the black and yellow collar behind the head. They have dark eyes with round pupils, whereas adders have elliptical pupils in their bright red eyes.
Should we be scared of British snakes?
For those who see a snake in the wild in Britain, Patrick says, ‘The best advice would be: don’t aggravate it. It’s safe to observe them respectfully from a distance, but just don’t go picking them up and they will leave you alone. ‘There’s nothing much to worry about.
Where are snakes commonly found in UK?
The Adder (or Common Viper)
They are widespread throughout mainland Britain and are able to survive extremely harsh conditions. They are the most frequently seen British snake and are becoming more common in open woodland, hedgerows, moorland, sand dunes, riverbanks, bogs, heathland and even mountains.
Do snakes swim in the UK?
Equally happy on land and in water, grass snakes can be spotted basking in the sun on the towpaths or swimming across the canal. From October to March, British grass snakes retreat to old rabbit warrens, wall crevices or similar sheltered spots to hibernate through the winter months.
What to do if a snake tries to bite you?
Advertising & Sponsorship
- Move beyond the snake’s striking distance.
- Remain still and calm to help slow the spread of venom.
- Remove jewelry and tight clothing before you start to swell.
- Position yourself, if possible, so that the bite is at or below the level of your heart.
- Clean the wound with soap and water.
What to do if a snake chooses to bite you?
If you’re ever bitten by a snake, keeping these tips in mind might save your life.
- Call an ambulance immediately.
- Don’t panic and don’t move.
- Leave the snake alone.
- Apply a pressure immobilisation bandage and splint.
- Don’t wash, suck, cut or tourniquet the bite.