Two blackberry pickers meet adder on the Downs
BLACKBERRY pickers were surprised to see a fully grown adder on the South Downs last week.
Angela Dale and her daughter, Helen, were walking between Butts Brow and Jevington when they spotted the snake.
Angela, of Woodlands Avenue, Eastbourne, said, "It looked like a fully grown adult adder — creamy coloured with an attractive chocolate coloured diamond pattern on its skin.
"We were picking blackberries just off the grass path and we must have surprised it because the snake was curled up in the sunshine — but then it uncoiled and disappeared under the bushes.
"We were both amazed as I have heard about adders on the Downs but I never expected to see one. Even though it was a bit scary it made my day."
Although excited by the find, Angela added, "I would like to warn people about the dangers of potential snake bites to themselves and their pets."
The adder is Britain's only poisonous snake and it favours heathlands, hedgerows, open woodland and river banks.
Trevor Weeks, of East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service, said, "Adders have been up on the Downs for decades and they are not really anything to worry about. If you leave them alone they will leave you alone.
"As soon as they see you they will usually move away but the recent cold weather may have made them more sluggish and they may be a little slower than normal.
"However, the venom they carry is not that strong and you are more likely to suffer an allergic reaction from the bacteria on their fangs than anything else."
Mr Weeks said the elderly, young children and dogs were more susceptible to reactions from a bite but stressed incidents were uncommon.
Mr Weeks said anyone who suffers a bite should seek medical advice immediately.
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Weather for Bexhill-on-Sea
Sunday 05 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 0 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Light sleet showers
Temperature: -1 C to 5 C
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