Saw a really large adder

[Lonelycrab]

While out on a bike ride, almost ran over this lovely snake. Adder I think, around 2 foot long at least.

Have seen one last summer in N wales in the dunes and one last week in Cheshire on some open heath land that’s two in 8 months and never before have I seen one in my life! I keep seeing Facebook posts about them too.
Are they getting more common? I’m terrified of my dogs getting bitten by them as their venom is toxic to dogs and can be fatal.

@BashfulClam My daughter saw one in wales a few years ago and figuratively shit her pants and died on the spot! 🤣

They are quite common in their favoured areas.
But they're also very shy and prefer not being noticed. They only ever bite when threatened.

We’ve already had quite a few sightings in our local country park in South Wales. Happily, I’ve never seen one!

What a privilege to see that! I am very envious.

Gorgeous and great picture. One slithered across my sandaled foot some years back on Dartmoor. No pics as was a bit shocked.

I sent the pic to a friend in Adelaide, Aus.

She sent back a pic of a 3 meter brown snake scooting across the cricket pitch at her sons match, and told me to toughen up buttercup 😁

Jealous. Never ever seen one.

So lucky!

I saw one in Slough about 50 years ago.

Grass snakes are completely harmless.

Beautiful, very jealous, I've never seen one in real life!

How lucky. It does look big and it is gorgeous.

I’ve only ever seen one once before, and that was small, 20-30cm. This was nearly a meter which is pretty huge.

We get them around here (rural South Wales) but I haven't seen one in ages.
My dog was bitten by one... in our garden!

This is so sad. Grass snakes can’t hurt you and ponds are so important for wildlife 😥

I've never seen one. I have touched a boa constrictor though.

I had a house in Brittany, and every time we visited, I would mow the grass wearing steel toe industrial boots. There were loads of adders there - the local doctor and pharmacy both kept anti-venom in stock for when people got bitten. They are incredibly beautiful, and provided you don’t surprise them, they scoot away from people rather than towards them, but it’s easy to step on one sleeping in hot weather when they are a bit dopey.

Almost don't believe we have these because I've never seen one

I know I'm being ridiculous, and of course we have them

I really want to see one!

There have been lots of adder sightings near me (Sussex) in the last few weeks, including from someone whose dog was bitten and she apparently had to pay £2k to the vet for anti-venom.
I've seen an adder about 4 times in my life in the UK, I'm scared of snakes but they're OK if they're heading away from me!

Yes they’re definitely a danger for dogs off lead esp if there’s long grass. That’s where this one headed just after I’d seen it.

Omg! I didn't know we had these here! 😯

A few Summers ago whilst out running, I jumped over with I initially thought was a 2 foot piece of rope on the path. Quickly realising that it was not rope, I stopped and walked back to have a look. I had obviously startled the adder and it reared up and hissed at me.

£2K! 😮

Come to Cornwall, we avoid our usual walking route this time of year (long grass meadows) due to the amount of dogs injured.